Reports of the suspicious deaths of four public-sector internal auditors in Liberia are sending shock waves through the internal auditing profession amid calls for greater investigation into the circumstances of the incidents.
Occurring over eight days, from October 3-10, the four deaths involved Emmanuel Barten Nyeswua, director general, Liberia Internal Audit Agency, and Albert Peters, Gifty Lama, and George F. Fanbutu, all with the Liberia Revenue Authority. All four reportedly were conducting audits of Liberia government accounts over allegations of misappropriation of funds. Nyeswua died of an apparent fall, while the others died in apparent car accidents.
Richard Chambers, president and CEO of the Institute of Internal Auditors wrote a formal letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, calling for the U.S. government to support Liberia President George Weah’s request for help in investigating the incidents.
Sinister Acts?
“If these deaths are determined to be more than coincidental accidents, we feel that such a sinister act, particularly on public servants whose sole role is to protect the country’s citizens, would be an attack on the people and an assault on society and democracy,” Chambers wrote in the letter. “Internal auditors serve as guardians of trust for their organizations. This is particularly true of public-sector auditors, for they hold a special place in demonstrating and defending the grandest virtues of society and of our noble profession.”
In a public statement, Liberia Information Minister Ledgerhood Rennie, said the government is in shock and sadness over the deaths of the auditors. Family members of the deceased auditors have expressed concern over what they consider the suspicious circumstances of their deaths.
“Details of the cause of the death of the IAA Boss are scanty,” Rennie’s said. “However, the Government of Liberia assures the public that once further details are established, it will be made known.” Its still too early to know if the Liberian government will make good on that promise. Meanwhile, internal auditor groups will continue to push for answers.
“While their violent deaths remain under investigation and there has been no formal finding of conspiracy or targeting, the losses have sent reverberations across the African nation and alarmed internal audit professionals around the world,” chambers wrote in a recent blog post on the topic. 
Joseph McCafferty is Editor & Publisher of Internal Audit 360°