Monrovia – In less than two weeks, the Government of Liberia has changed its narratives of the alleged “missing” L$16 billion banknotes, which were brought into the country between November 2017 and August 2018 at least four times.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo, [email protected]
This change in narratives began on September 21, 2018, with the Minister of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Mr. Samuel D. Tweah, who called on a local radio station to completely divert from earlier statements put out to the public by the official spokesperson of the government, Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe and the Minister of Justice, Cllr. Frank Musah Dean.
Mid-September, specifically on Monday, September 17, the government acknowledged that containers and bags of money arrived in the country.
This newspaper had reported on September 17, that the Liberian government was tight-lipped on at least L$9 billion that had allegedly gone missing.
Few hours after that publication hit the newsstand on the same day, the Liberian government issued a press release. In that release, which was under the signature of Justice Min. Dean, the government confirmed the speculations about the moneys:
“Initial findings indicate that the containers and bags of moneys allegedly arrived between November 2017, prior to the inauguration of the current government, and August 2018. Evidence available to the Investigative Team has established that the current administration was not informed about the arrival of the containers and bags of moneys into the country.”
The release was intended to vindicate this administration from any wrongful acts and somehow pinned them on former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s regime, as it pertains to the handling of the moneys.
However, on that same day, Madam Sirleaf granted an exclusive interview with FrontPageAfrica and stated her disappointment with the initial findings of the government. She suggested a sinister play was at work to impugn her legacy and that of her administration.
Madam Sirleaf: “I have been reliably informed that the Central Bank of Liberia has undertaken an internal investigation and by a directive from the Minister of Justice provided a full report to the police. The CBL has prepared a release that gives full evidence and clarification that refutes the statement of [Information] Minister [Lenn Eugene] Nagbe. This had been held for two days because the CBL Governor and the Minister of Justice have refused to approve the release. It is most unfortunate that the GOL would give false information that wickedly impugns the reputation of past officials and by extension the country itself.”
On Tuesday, October 2, the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) Executive Governor Nathaniel Patray sided with the latest narrative from President George Weah, and Min. Tweah that “no money is missing.”
According to Patray, the Bank concluded internal assessment of monies printed and brought in Liberia between 2016 and 2018; adding: “The records of the CBL show that the total amount of money printed and placed in reserve vaults of the bank was L$15.5 billion from 2016-2018.”
The amount, according to him, was verified from the bank’s internal documents and documents received from the Crane Currency of Sweden. Crane Currency is the Sweden-based company that allegedly printed the new money.
Speaking further, Mr. Patray emphasized: “CBL clarified to the general public and partner in progress that there is no L$16 billion missing. The CBL has no records showing that the monies printed under its authority have not yet been delivered into its reserved vaults. Record from the Crane Currency of and Sweden, which was contracted to print the money, shows that Crane delivered 15.5 billion through Freeport and Roberts International Airport (RIA) between 2016 and 2018 and that all these monies were logged by the CBL and delivered into the reserved vaults of the CBL.”
Despite the Bank’s statement that no money is missing, Governor Patray, however, indicated that they welcome the establishment and expansion of the special investigative team constituted by President Weah to probe into alleged missing money.
The investigative team includes civil society groups, government graft agencies, joint security team, including Ministry of Justice, Liberia National Police and National Security Agency.
Mr. Patray also welcomed the President’s decision to engage international partners such as the USA, the African Union, ECOWAS, IMF, and the UN.
While stating that nothing has gone missing, moneywise, the CBL Executive Governor disclosed that the government is in the process of securing the services of a reputable international forensic audit firm to conduct a forensic audit of all flows of principal money between 2016 and 2018. If nothing is missing and everything is intact, why do they want to secure the services of a forensic auditing firm?
He added that the bank will cooperate with the investigation and avail all records in their possession to the investigation.
“I confirm that all employees of the bank are committed to cooperating fully with the investigation and will continue to make themselves available to the special investigation team whenever they are called upon,” he added.
It is unclear what Governor Patray’s revelation would do to preempt the ongoing investigation into the alleged scandal.
The Governor’s statement follows a similar tone ranted by President Weah Sunday, September 30, upon his return from the United Nations General Assembly that he did not believe any money was missing.
Governor Patray’s revelation Tuesday contradicts an earlier statement from the government’s chief spokesman Nagbe who revealed in an interview with the VOA Daybreak Africa that the current President was kept in the dark by ex-President Sirleaf concerning the alleged “missing” L$16 billion.
Minister Nagbe told the VOA that the President was never kept appraised about the new banknotes during the transitional period.
“…One would have thought that this new President would have been informed about all of these transactions during the transition notes that were presented to him during the transition meeting but he was not aware,” Nagbe disclosed.
The Information Minister went on to confirm the printing of “moneys” in several countries. “We can confirm that the money was brought through the Freeport of Liberia and the Roberts International Airport and for now it is L$16 billion that we have confirmed. An estimate of a little over 15 billion Liberian dollars as far as we are concerned from the ongoing investigation as of today, it came through the two ports of entry.”
Last week, the Magisterial Court issued a travel restriction writ on 35 men and women not to depart the bailiwick of Liberia.
Key among those ordered not to travel were Mr. Milton A. Weeks, Former Executive Governor Office of the Executive Governor, who previously oversaw the overall Management of the Bank and Mr. Charles E. Sirleaf Deputy Governor, responsible for Finance, Banking and General Services Departments.
But Patray, in his Tuesday press conference, requested the court to vacate the writ, which imposed the travel restriction on the 35 persons.
Rejecting New Narrative
Mr. Abraham Darius Dillon, one of the leading critics of this administration, said on his social media page that the Bank is amongst suspects regarding the “missing” billions saga.
“In fact, the CBL is the prime suspect until otherwise proven. I am reminded how you rarely find a prisoner or suspect accused of committing a crime honestly and ordinarily confesses to a commission of said crime. So, I am least bordered by the latest claim of the CBL to the effect that ‘no money is missing.’”
Dillion further said, “Interestingly, upon assuming office, CBL Governor Nat Patray is on record for saying whilst respecting the laws that established the Bank, he will also implement “mandates of the President.”
He furthered that on Sunday upon President Weah’s return from the 73rd UNGA in New York, the President insisted and essentially said: “there are no missing billions.”
“Now, today, the Central Bank comes to say, no money missing.” Hahaha!! I am left wondering, and feeling that Gov. Nat Patray is already “implementing the mandate of the President.”
Dillon continued, “That is why we will continue to insist on an independent investigation comprised of professional criminal investigators along with our international partners so as to ensure a credible outcome of this grave matter.”
The Concerned Citizens United to Bring Our Money Back (COCUBOMB) in its initial reaction said the CBL’s statement further indicts the Government of Liberia and heightens a new wave of contradictions.
Martin Kollie, national chairman of COCUBOMB, said the government has proven utter dishonesty and insincerity. He described CBL’s latest release as a mere fiasco only meant to undermine the progressive nature of the ongoing investigation.
“The account of CBL is not only offensive but provocative. It might breed a national outcry and showdown. The people are becoming angry. Again, we want to reaffirm a vote of no confidence in this government to investigate this national emergency situation.”
Kollie said the international community must take full charge of this controversy and mystery.
“The reaction of CBL is a pre-calculated and prearranged attempt to undermine this ongoing investigation. It is overly irrational and illogical for anyone to echo that no money is missing. We reiterate an international independent forensic investigation.”
He furthered that the bank must give answers to several unanswered questions.
“When did CBL get to know that no money is missing when the President, Justice Minister, Information Minister, CDC Chairman, Rep. Solomon George, etc. have said to us that money is missing?
“Why investigate since August 8 where there is no money missing? Why invite the US Treasury Department, FBI, and IMF to assist with an investigation? Why ban over 35 persons of interest from traveling out of the country? Liberia must rise above this dishonesty,” Kollie asked.