A whistle blower has informed the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission(LACC) that the former Commissioner General of the Liberia Immigration Service(LIS), Stephen J. H. Zargo, must be investigated for alleged financial malpractices. .
According to the whistler blower, who begged not to be named, Mr. Zargo supposedly authorized the withdrawal of several millions of Liberian Dollars and United States Dollars from the Central Bank of Liberia(CBL) and the International Bank Liberia Ltd.
The whistle blower further alleged that Mr. Zargo authorized the amount of US$20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand United States Dollars) to be withdrawn from the International Bank (IB) that was placed in the ECOWAS Special Project Account, which was left in the coffers by his Predecessor, Robert W. Budy, Sr.
The whistler blower made contact with sources at the Bank and was reliably informed that the amount was allegedly withdrawn.
This money was to be used when there is a project for immigration in collaboration with ECOWAS and they will sit as both parties and agree in principles. The funds were also intended to open a fraud detection section at the Robert International Airport and to train immigration personnel.
But apparently Mr. Zargo did not understand in totality as to its intent and ‘‘deliberately withdrew’’ the amount for reason/s best known to himself, our source said. His greed for money made him fail to listen to those that knew the intent of the money, according to our source.
The whistler blower also said that Mr. Zargo and the current Chief of Finance of the Liberia Immigration Service allegedly signed checks and withdrew LD$8.5 million Liberian Dollars from the CBL.
It is reported that these checks did not pass thru the regular processes and procedures, that is, the Internal Audit Department of the LIS as a means of check and balance.
‘‘These checks were written and withdrawn in the name of one Wilfred Y. Beyan who according to our source is a member of the LIS Finance Section. ‘‘These checks were written and withdrawn accordingly: October 11, 2024, Check Number 2035, Wilfred Y. Beyan, 1,000,000.00,’’ our sources divulged.
‘‘October 21, 2024, Check Number 2036, Wilfred Y. Beyan, 5,000,000.00 totaling to 6,000,000.00 Liberian Dollars. In November, November 4, 2024, Check Number 2037, Wilfred Y. Beyan, 2,000,000.00. On November 11, 2024, Check Number 2038, Wilfred Y. Beyan, 500,000.00 totaling to 2,500,000.00 Liberian Dollars.’’
‘‘The current Chief of Finance, Jallah Jacobs, Officer Wilfred Y. Beyan and Mr. Zargo must be audited and these withdraws must be investigated and also, the Internal Audit Department should be invited to throw lights on these checks to ascertain as to whether they are aware of these checks leaving the LIS for encashment at the CBL,’’ our sources further divulged.
It can be recalled that the Ministry of Justice last year provided ten (10) Motorbikes and one (1) Toyota Hilux Pick-Up for the Liberia Immigration Service. It was reported that the ten (10) Motorbikes were delivered to the LIS, whereas the former Commissioner General Zargo allegedly confiscated the Pick-Up for his personal use and has failed to turn over this vehicle to the Liberia Immigration Service which is yet to be recorded amongst the LIS fleet of vehicles.
According to our sources, he has been seen using this vehicle to carry out his errands at one point in time, this vehicle was lastly seen with the current Chief of Intelligence of the LIS Officer Thomas Chucky Simmonds who is a personal confidant of Mr. Zargo
Information gathered also indicates that these documents and evidence are currently before the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission for review and further investigation. Meanwhile, Mr. Zargo could not be reached for comments concerning these allegations linking him to financial malpractices and others at the LIS.
However, the former LIS Boss dismissed similar claims made against him when he spoke to the media sometimes ago. While describing the allegations as false and misleading, he openly challenged his accusers to provide cogent evidence to substantiate their claims against him. He vowed to prove his innocent in any court of competent jurisdiction.
