LRD16B ‘Whistleblower’ Disappeared?

By R. Joyclyn Wea

This paper has gathered information about the mysterious disappearance of the whistle-blower of the alleged missing container of money, LRD16 Billion banknotes from his community and workplace in recent months.

Few months ago, Liberians were informed about over US$104million dollars reportedly unaccounted for by the Liberian Government.

It was said that the money was brought into the country through major ports of entry (Roberts International Airport and the Free Port of Monrovia). It was further alleged that the money came in country between November 2017 and August 2018.

Since this incident, there have been conflicting statements from past and present officials of government over the whereabouts of the money.

However, the main person believed to have leaked the information to some individuals and the press is reportedly in hiding and is now on the run for fear of his life.

“Van-K” as the whistle-blower is commonly called by colleagues is believed to be a staffer of the Central Bank of Liberia, but sources informed this paper that he had since not been seen neither at his workplace nor at his Monrovia residence.

According to some neighbors closed to “Van-K,” there have been at least three attempts on Van-K’s life in the last months by some unknown armed men believed to be plainclothes states security officers.

“Where is that man who knows too much that he wants to damage our new government and we will deal with him,” Brooks, Van-K neighbor quoted one of the men.

Another neighbor speaking on anonymity says, he recognized one of those men to be former Charles Taylor rebel by the name “Co-Butterfly, a death squad commander in the defunct National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) in the group the first day those security men went over to Van-K’s residence.

Since these incidents, the whistleblower and his family had flown their house and their whereabouts are unknown.

It is believed that he was the one who reportedly exposed the information out to the public through some local media outlets in the country and was said to have been in the employed of the CBL prior to his alleged disappearance.

According to our source, he was not dismissed by the bank, but believes he escaped out of fear of being killed.

Some reports suggest that he is in hiding somewhere in Nimba County, while others said he may be in Guinea or Ivory Coast seeking refuge in the meantime, our investigations continue…