Monrovia – Liberian Police have launched an investigation into the death of Barteen Nyanswa, the former head of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), following suspicions of murder. Nyanswa allegedly fell from his banister during the midnight hours, but several sources have raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding his death. The Police have invited some former Government officials considered people of interest, months after the victim’s girlfriend accused them. In an exclusive interview with Spoon Talk, Musu Lela Kerkula, Nyanswa’s girlfriend who was present at his house on the night of his death, revealed shocking information linking senior government officials to what she believes was the murder of her boyfriend.
Lela explained that Nyanswa had been targeted by officials due to his refusal to compromise on two major audits – the Consolidated Account of the Liberian Government and the Covict-19 funds. She claimed that on the night of the incident, she was awakened by friends who informed her that Nyanswa had been found unconscious in the courtyard. Lela questioned how Nyanswa could have been moved from beside her on the bed to the courtyard without her knowledge.
During the interview, Lela courageously named several high-ranking officials in the Weah government whom she believes are co-conspirators in Nyanswa’s death. She alleged that these individuals orchestrated his death because he refused to tamper with the audit reports. Lela also revealed that the police had attempted to intimidate her during their investigation, even threatening to indict her as the real culprit.
One incident mentioned by Lela involved Nyanswa handing an audit report to Nathaniel McGill, who was a senior government official at the time. She claimed that McGill asked Nyanswa to leave the report with someone else, but Nyanswa refused and eventually handed it to McGill the following day. Lela also mentioned a gathering of public officials and friends at the Calabash entertainment center, where she felt uneasy and wanted to leave.
Lela’s revelations have raised further questions and suspicions surrounding Nyanswa’s death. Despite the police investigation reporting no foul play, Lela insists that Nyanswa was murdered and did not fall from the staircase as suggested. She also mentioned that the brother of one of the co-conspirators collected Nyanswa’s phones and laptop, which may have contained important audit reports.
Former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah was one of the individuals named by Lela. The police have invited Tweah and others connected to the case for questioning. Tweah has expressed the need for an impartial investigation under the new government and has committed to transparency in sharing information with the public.
The deaths of Nyanswa and three other auditors, Albert Peters, Gifty Lama, and George Fanbutu, have raised concerns about the safety of auditors in Liberia. The mysterious nature of these deaths has fueled speculation and fear. Tweah’s engagement with the investigation is seen as a crucial step in seeking justice and accountability.
These incidents highlight the importance of thorough investigations to restore public confidence and ensure the safety of professionals working in Liberia. The government and law enforcement agencies must work together to uncover the truth and address these troubling incidents.
