Northern Virginia, USA - I was notified that my wife had broken her leg and that my second son, who is suffering from a liver condition, was scheduled for a medical check up, so there was a need for me to travel to the United States. I had planned leave for the States on 18 December 2007, but I decided to wait around until the Liberian Government had provided the General Auditing Commission its budgetary allotment so that we could pay the more 158 capable and competent professionals we had competitively recruited at the GAC.

On 22 December 2007, I arrived at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) to depart for the United States of America to see my wife and 4 [children] for Christmas and to attend to other pressing matters. I arrived at the Airport with several of my aides, security guard and few staff of the GAC. When we arrived, we met a crowd of people (at least more than 15 people) at the Kenya Airways Terminal, which I have learned was the terminal used by KLM. We arrived about 4:30PM and met people standing at the door knocking because the door to the terminal was locked, preventing anyone from entering to check in. Unfortunately, there were also people who had entered and checked in but came out to say goodbye to families and the door was apparently locked behind them.

In any event, my aides began to use their contacts to see how they could get me checked in. People continued to knock at the door! One of my aides notified people inside that the Auditor General was outside and if they could assist in letting me in to check in. After a few phone calls, one of my aides informed me that she has been informed that I should go to the VIP lounge, so that if Kenya Airways decided to let me check in, it would not look like I was being favored. It was at the same time that a former Minister in the Charles Taylor’s Government also stated he was going to VIP. He left and we followed peacefully. I arrived at the VIP and asked the VIP SSS to assist only to be told that a heavy set, fair skinned looking man inside who he claimed was the President’s son had only instructed him to take the former Taylor Minister to ensure that he was placed on the plane, and not me. So we waited patiently at the VIP until about 6PM after the plane had taken off. I along with my aides, security and the few GAC staff took off for Monrovia. On that day, 22 December 2007, I was never confronted that I broke a door.

Sunday, 23 December 2007, unbeknownst to me that I was being targeted for any incident at the RIA, I went on the Internet and purchased a new ticket to travel to the United States via SN Brussels and Delta Airline, costing about US$2,025. I paid the US leg of the trip on the Internet but from Monrovia to Brussels, I was told to make the payment at the Airport. I arrived at the RIA on 23 December 2007 at 2PM. I first went to the VIP lounge with my aides, security and again a few GAC staff. I was allowed to come in. After a few minutes, I headed to SN Brussels to pay the remaining ticket. I did. I went and checked in and received my boarding pass. On my way through immigration, I was approached by an airport security man informing me that he has received a “straight order” from the Airport Management that I was not allowed to travel because of an alleged incident at the airport the day before. I asked him to show me the Airport Management or give me their numbers and he informed me he could not provide the information because he did not know where to find them nor did he know their numbers. I returned to the VIP lounge and only to find a tall Secret Service man standing in front of the door and telling me that “I have received a straight order from the Executive Mansion that I should not allowed you to use any of the facilities at the airport until you have solved your problem with the airport authority.” After my aides asked him who had given such orders from the Executive Mansion to prevent the Auditor General, a senior government official from using the VIP facilities and he declined to comment but only repeated his earlier statement. So I was now confused as to what was going on. I managed, through assistance from airport people and family, to locate the home of Mr. Pennoh Bestman, Deputy MD for Administration.

I arrived at Mr. Bestman’s home and met him eating. I informed him what I was told and he told me he had heard such a thing but he was not at work when the alleged incident had occurred. I asked him to intervene but he told me the order was coming from higher ups but that he would take me to the Deputy Chief of Security at the Airport, who was on duty. We arrived at the Deputy Chief Wright’s office and he informed Mr. Bestman that he attempted to involve the police but the police had refused to get involve. Deputy Chief Wright told me and my aides that a “white man” was accused of busting the same glass door and was made to pay US$50 and left on the same day. So to avoid all the back and forth, I should just pay for the door and then leave. So I decided to pay for the door and leave because my wife and children were more important to me at that point than a US$50 glass door that I did not break.

But then Mr. Bestman called his boss, MD Simmons. After talking on the phone, Mr. Bestman escalated the problem that his boss will take nothing less than “I agree that I broke the door.” If I did not say that, I would not be allowed to leave this country. It was at that point that I demanded to see the police, because if I could be charged then at least I would get a bond and leave. I was tired being dragged around and remaining in limbo at the mercy of an airport management. We decided to go to the police and Mr. Bestman and Deputy Chief followed. While going, my aides advised me to not take the complaint to the police but instead I should contact the President since we were being told by the same very security that this was bigger than a door and that of an airport management.

I called the President more than 6 times and no response. So it was while heading to the police that I was approached by a man who claimed to be a CID, who stated that the manner in which things were turning out, it was best that I go to seek refuge at the police station. It was then that I called the Solicitor General to find out whether the Ministry of Justice or the Police were involved. He told me and after a few minutes that he was not aware; I was told to go on to America. But when I arrived at the gate, I was again block by the airport security and was told by SN Brussels that the airport management had instructed them to “offload” me from the plane and so I would not be going, again.

I returned home that night and called the President and complained that I was being prevented from traveling without a charge or a court order. And that this was a blatant return to past behavior where I am told people in power used the RIA to trample on the constitutional rights of free movement of citizens. She assured me that I would leave the next day, 24 December 2007. And that she would ask her Minister of State McClain to ensure that the matter was resolved and that I leave. Unfortunately that did not happen, because Dr. McClain and RIA Management insisted that I must confess that I broke a glass door before I could be allowed to leave the country. I was advised that such forced confession was not good. Instead, I should take the matter to Court to prevent the RIA Management and the Government of Liberia from infringing on my constitutional right of free movement. Others advised me to wait until the President return from her trip in Bomi County, where she had gone for a day. I waited and called the President on Christmas day to wish her Merry Christmas and to inform her that her promise to me to travel did not materialize because RIA and Dr. McClain had insisted on a forced confession as single important pre-condition for me to ever travel outside of Liberia. I told her that if RIA had the evidence, it would have been proper to charge me and take me to Court rather that holding me hostage in Liberia, outside of a Court order. She once again promised that if I could not go on Christmas day, I would leave the next day, 26 December 2007.

The President asked me to speak with Minister Bropleh because she was receiving information that she was the one stopping me from leaving and that it was the Government who was targeting me because of my comments on the level of corruption, my stand on the budget debate and the biggest among all was that journalists were claiming that I had told them I was being stopped as a way to intimidate me to call off the audits. I told her and Minister Bropleh, separately, that the reasons people are saying that is that the SSS man at the VIP lounge said in an open forum that “I have received a straight order from the Executive Mansion that I should not allowed you to use any of the facilities at the airport until you have solved your problem with the airport authority.” And more over, that door has broken on more than 3 occasions and no one had been targeted and prevented from leaving Liberia as a result of it.

So reasonable people are saying preventing me from leaving the country to see my family for Christmas and to attend to sick child and a wife with a broken leg was bigger than just a door and that I as senior level government official will not be running away. I have started several important audits. I am coming back in 10 ten days to make way for auditors from Ghana, Zambia and India to join the team of GAC Auditors. It was therefore surprising to many that I was being prevented from leaving, when even people charged with economic crimes could travel and come back at will. But an Auditor General, who is not charged or convicted of any crime, cannot leave the Republic of Liberia. This was strange, I told both the President and Minister Bropleh, a fact even Mr. Bropleh agreed was strange.

In any event, with yet another promised from the President, on the morning of 26 December 2007, I bought another ticket on Belleview Airline to leave for Ghana and then I could find my way from there to the States. Minister Bropleh called and said that the President had asked him to intervene to resolve the issue. I gave him the number for the MD at RIA. But after I did not hear from Minister Bropleh and the time for departure was fast approaching, one of my aides called RIA only to be told that I should bring a clearance from the President. I immediately called the President and she denied being involved and that I did not need a “clearance from her” for me to travel. Instead, she asked me to put the matter behind me and just fix the door when I returned. I said okay I will not argue further, because I have been prevented from leaving 4 times now and that fixing the door was a small price to pay to see my family. I also realized that I will NEVER be allowed to travel to America until I can give a forced confession and since the insistence on a confession was dropped, fixing the door was not a big deal. So my lawyer and the lawyer of RIA crafted the language only for me to fix the door. That was it.

Here are the facts:
Fact One: For me to learn that Minister Bropleh held a press conference to say that I had confessed to breaking a door, that I had apologized and that I was arrested and charged with criminal mischief and criminal flight beats my imagination. Again, let me say to the Liberian people and our international partners, Minister Bropleh’s statements are categorical lies designed to tarnish my hard earned good name and to discredit me and the hardworking people of the General Auditing Commission and thereby undermine the continuing audits of the Government of Liberia fiscal accounts and others. His statements are bold face lies. Period.

This is the season we celebrate the birth of Christ, who would eventually be crucified for our sins. This ought to be a time of spiritual reflection, tranquility and reconciliation.

For a man who claimed to be a Reverend and a man of God to engage in such categorical lies during this period of celebrating the birth of Christ speaks volume. Minister Bropleh is now obligated to provide the following:

• The Writ of Arrest;

• The Charge Sheet;

• The Court Order;

• My Letter of Apology;

• Statement where I stated I broke a glass door.

If Minister Bropleh cannot provide the above, then his comments are a disgrace to not only a Government Minister but one who claimed to be a man of God. Travesty!

I have yet to see the report or the material evidence against me because reading it in the papers and people informing me as to what is said on the radio are not enough. Again, did I kick the door? Did I punch the door? How did I break the alleged door?

Since there was plastic tape around the door prior to the alleged incident because of past breakings, could the glass have cracked because so many people were knocking on it? Did RIA consider such alternative explanations? Or are their minds made up to stop me and humiliate me, any how?

Fact Two: On 24 December 2007 RIA Managing Director Simmons went on Truth FM Radio to charge me with criminal offense while at the same time saying the Liberian Police and UNMIL were investigating the alleged incident. RIA does not have the power to charge anyone on radio with a criminal offense. That is the role that is delegated to the Ministry of Justice, which includes the Police and the NBI. But again, how can you charge a man with criminal offense while at the same UNMIL and the Liberian Police are investigating. I thought in a democracy investigation usually precede a charge and than an arrest warrant.

It is laughable to think that I got up on the 22 December 2007 and set out to do nothing but to go to RIA to break a glass door. So saying that I committed a criminal offense without first charging me is viewed by so many as a desperate attempt for the Government of Liberia to find a fault line to report to the international partners, especially the European Union. Even if it were true that I broke a door, which is not the case, could it not have been done as a mistake especially when the same door has been broken and therefore cracked at least three times.

Well, it seems in the new Liberia, person is proven guilty by virtue of being a perceived enemy before investigating an incident. On the one hand, I am accused of committing a criminal offense on the radio on the 24 December 2007, while at the same time telling the Liberian people that UNMIL and the National Police were investigating. Are they investigating or am I already found guilty and punished without an investigation?

To date, I have not been contacted. None of my aides or security guards has been contacted. Nor has there been any contacts made at the GAC. So what kind of investigation was going on by UNMIL and the National Police as alleged by the RIA Managing Director on Truth FM Radio on 24 December 2007. Is this a one sided investigation where a conclusion has been reached or investigators are paid or coerced to produce a known result?

“Dispense Justice Impartially,” 27 December 2007, an editorial in the Daily Observer states, “Meanwhile, an aide to Mr. Morlu out rightly denies any occurrence of the incident which the RIA Management said had taken place. He described it as 'orchestrated'. The issue seems to take a sour twist when even the police, to whom RIA Management claimed it turned over Mr. Morlu after an arrest on Sunday afternoon, do not seem to have the case anywhere in their files. We know making reports for the under-equipped police force should be difficult but not so difficult; nearly 100 hours had elapsed since the incident. That leaves us to wonder why a detachment at the RIA could not get to Monrovia to log a report at its headquarters.”

Does not Daily Observer editorial contradicts what Mr. Simmons stated on 24 December 2007 on Truth FM that UNMIL and the National Police were investigating?

The editorial forgets to note that perhaps there is no case at all, and that is why the Police is not involved. Unfortunately, the Daily Observer editorial writer failed to mention that there is a Liberian National Police Station at RIA and I went there to complain but they did not see any merit in the case. There was not a single document from RIA turning me over to the Police. Instead I demanded to see a Police so that I could at least give them a statement for me to be able to leave for America. At that point, I trusted the Police more than the RIA Security who was operating on a straight order from the MD not to let me travel out of the country.

What is also missing in this Daily Observer editorial is that I was convicted in the absence of a Police charge and Court order when I was prevented from leaving the country on four occasions to see my wife who had broken her leg and a sick child with a liver condition. Is this not serious, preventing a Liberian from leaving the country for 4 days to see his family on Christmas and family members who are ill? Must I be hanged? For serious minded parents, being prevented to leave a country in order to see a sick child and a wife with a broken leg is more punishment than a jail sentence. But to the Observer editorial writer that was not a sufficient punishment. Instead he is dreaming that John Morlu, II, his nemesis was given a free ride to justice, rather than an unfair journey to injustice.

When would Liberians learn that inflicting pains and attempting to”bring down” other Liberians is not good for this Nation?

Fact Three: On 26 December 2007, the President informed me that she realized Liberians can lie on people. Instead she was waiting for a UNMIL Report. The President informed me that UNMIL Report would be out on 27 December 2007, after I asked her to give me a copy. I even requested to wait until the UNMIL report was out and she said it was not necessary and that we should resolve the matter amicably. I believe Minister Bropleh should get his facts straight, even though there is an urgent need to catch me on something as some have informed me to undermine the audit efforts.

Surprisingly, the alleged incident took place on the 22 December 2007. By the time I left on 26 December 2007, I was informed by the President that UNMIL was preparing its report. On a simple incident as a breaking of a glass door, while would it take UNMIL almost 5 days to prepare an incident report? But why would UNMIL investigate if UNMIL according to the Executive Mansion was around when the incident occurred?

In any event, just as the Government of Liberia take advantage of its rights to challenge the UN Panel of Experts report, I believe I have the right to challenge any report and to call for an independent investigation or hire my own private firm to investigate the matter.

Fact Four: Furthermore, I believe the President when she informed me that neither she, the Executive Mansion nor the Government of Liberia were involved in preventing me from leaving the country after I had told her that I felt that I was being targeted due to my position on the level of corruption in the Government, my position on the National Budget and that there are so many who have come to see audits as a means to stop them from pillaging the resources of the country for personal aggrandizement. Now, I see the Government spokesman calling a press conference to tarnish my reputation also speaks volume. Who was really behind my prevention from leaving? Is it RIA Management or Government of Liberia?

Fact Five: There were a crowd of people, about 15 people or more at the door when I arrived at the Airport on 22 December 2007 when the alleged incident occurred. Not my aides, security, GAC staff and other passengers and their escorts were accused of breaking a door. But only John S. Morlu, II, the biggest fish in the area when the alleged incident occurred. The mentality that no one could have done it but John S. Morlu, II is a thing that all peaceful loving Liberians must consider.

Fact Six: I was told by the airport security and the Deputy MD that the door in question had been broken at least three times. No one has ever been stopped from leaving the country as a result of it. But John S. Morlu, II just by happenstance seems to be the first person to be prevented from the leaving the country. Some would consider this a politically motivated targeting.

Fact Seven: If UNMIL was around, how come they did not bother to talk to me on the day the incident occurred? But the barely 5’5” John Morlu, II was not even asked by UNMIL, much less get into a scuffle with anyone including UNMIL or Airport Security. Would it not have been far wiser and better for UNMIL to intervene as they did in the case of others in order to establish a prima facie case against me?

There was NEVER a brawl between me and Airport Security, as reported by the Daily Observer.

I also must have a thick skin since it is alleged that I broke a glass door without a single bruise or cut on my hands. So many people have seen my hands including journalists and there is not a single cut on my hands. Did I kick the door? Did I punch the door? Did I fight the security while UNMIL stood by? What did not UNMIL intervene as was done in the case of others?

Fact Eight: Past regimes whether Charles Taylor, Samuel Doe and those of the True Whig Party (TWP), I am told have used the RIA as a place to harass, intimidate and prevent “perceived enemies” of the state. I reminded to think that I am now considered a perceived enemy by so many in the corridors of power due to my twin position on the level of corruption, the National Budget. In fact, newspaper people told me while I was in Monrovia that some in the inner circle of power were jubilating that “we have got him” as though they have set a trap that just caught me.

Not too many reasonable Liberians can say that I am not a target by so many in the Government, because they see my steadfast position to assist the President build a credible and independent General Auditing Commission as a threat to their dependency on corruption as a quick and surest means to wealth creation. Just consider the heavy handed approach used to prevent me-Auditor General, Republic of Liberia, from traveling without a Court order and until they could secure a forced confession that I broke a door.

Fact Nine: The agreement was for me to fix the doors and dropped the issue. At no time, did I take responsibility for breaking a door nor did I apologize to anyone for breaking a door.

Fact Ten: I have lived in America for almost two decades. I have traveled and worked in more than 34 countries. I have never being charged with anything. I have never been involved in even a verbal conflict with anyone. So many people who know me can only speak of my intellectual pursuit and character. I am a family man with a beautiful family including four (4) handsome boys. It is therefore surprising to my family, friends, and professional colleagues all around the world that I could be targeted in this manner.

I was informed by anonymous sources claiming to be higher ups in the security apparatus in Liberia that I was being targeted and there was a plan to trump up charges against me during the Christmas Season to throw me in prison to be murdered and that then blame it on prison inmates. I informed both Dr. McClain and the President when we talked. Not everyone hates me in Government.

On my returned to Liberia on 5 September 2007, I was also informed that there was a plan at RIA to put “illicit drugs” in my bag to charge me with a crime as a way to discredit me. I notified our international partners. My bags were guarded at the RIA when I arrived. There is a constant security threat to my wellbeing and safety in Liberia, which I have told the President.

I remain sensitive to the fact that frontline institutions fighting corruption are usually falsely accused of a crime to discredit their efforts. Former Auditor General Raleigh Seekie was thrown in prison according to him for treason but only after he had conducted an audit that involved former President Taylor. Another Auditor General at the GAC is reported to have had a stroke while on the phone fighting for GAC allowance. He died later on that day.

The recent incident in Kenya and Sierra Leone are good examples. At least unlike these two victims in Sierra Leone and Kenya, I am not being charged yet of corruption. Instead I am accused of breaking a glass door. I am barely 5’5” tall and weight less than 160 pound. I do not have a single scratch on me - especially from breaking a glass door.

According to newspaper reports emanating from press releases from various government entities—RIA, I behaved in a manner consistent with Hollywood action filled movie stars Chuck Norris and Sylvester Stallone. I must be Stallone in Rambo, which is far from the truth.

The Inquirer Newspaper reported that, “Our sources said when Mr. Morlu arrived and was told that he was late and could not make the flight, he got furious and attempted forcing his way to get on board the plane by way of the departure gate.” I must be the new Rambo. This is utter falsehood. I did not even enter the door much less attempt to board Kenya Airways. Who are Inquirer sources? Is it Executive Mansion or RIA, or both?

I have told the President and our international partners, I do not have to be an Auditor General. I have a career in America and I have done fine without working for the Liberian Government. I only came to Liberia to assist President Sirleaf because some of us supported her during the Elections and as a means of correcting the wrongs that have permeated the Liberian society for more than a century. I am coming to the realization that I do not need to be an Alexander Hamilton, who was killed at an early age as he battled with the older generation to lay down an economic foundation for America which we all enjoy today. I am just 34 years old and I have plenty of time, God willing to assist my dear country Liberia and humanity.

One thing I have learned: In politics, people put rhetoric over reality. In contrast, in the private sector where I have worked, reality is priced higher than rhetoric. But in Government, I believe lies and rhetoric can only go so far.

I will return to Liberia sometime. If the Government of Liberia, using the RIA as the conduit, wants to go after me instead of fighting corruption to make it zero tolerance then we will go that route. I say Government because the Minister of Information has now gotten involved, making it the Government of Liberia versus John S. Morlu, II.

The President says there is systemic corruption, it is syndicated corruption, it is cabal, and there are bogus transactions and bogus entities costing Liberians millions of dollars in stolen monies. I am sure a large number of Liberians would agree that the Government should stop going after me and concentrate it efforts on fight fraud, waste and abuse, the problems that continue to cripple Liberian economic position.

Minister Bropleh must realize that there has been so many before him who were equally or more eloquent than him in spreading lies on people. The Government attempt to discredit people is not new. Stopping me from leaving to see a sick son and wife with a broken leg is heavy handed political targeting that is reminiscent of the bad past, for which I reminded the President. Today, it is John S. Morlu, II, tomorrow it could be another Liberian, who wants to perform his task in the most credible and uncompromising manner.

Must one survive in Liberia only if one is corrupted? I do not need to be Auditor General to make a living? I am just 34 years old, giving me more time to return home one day and contribute meaningfully. There is no need to continue in a position wherein I am harassed, threatened, and intimidated on a daily basis. Again, I only came to Liberia determined to ensure that President Sirleaf achieve her goal of making corruption public enemy number one as well as ensure accountability, transparency and fiscal probity.

I traveled from Liberia to America with my computer, after being informed that some in Government have argued that I was leaving the country with “sensitive” documents. So to avoid prevention, I just travel with my computer bag, which I handed to the airport security during my departure at the RIA. That is the life of an Auditor General in a non-colonized country.

Sadly, I have just learned that the General Auditing Commission was broken into last night.

For the record, I do have a capable lawyer in Liberia and enough lawyer friends in America that can assist in my defense. I wish I had known, in advance, to accept the post with this level of attack and intimidation. All I knew going in was that Auditors-General and front line people faced lot of challenges.

I am now with my family. It is better that the Government of Liberia leaves me alone to attend to family matters. For four (4) days, I was prevented from leaving the country and also on the “strict order” from the Executive Mansion” for me not to be allowed to use any VIP facilities. I was humiliated and harassed. I did not get to see my children on Christmas day. What more does the Government using RIA as a conduit wants from me? Do I have to be sent to the “Russian Gulag” before they rest?

I take solace in the following sent to me by a true believer in God’s power: “Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced…Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake… No weapon formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue which raises against you in argument you shall condemn. Says the Lord” (Isaiah 54:4, 15 – 17).

The President assured me that she, the Executive Mansion or the Government of Liberia was not part of the actions to stop me from leaving without a court order, violating my constitutional right to free movement. That Presidential assurance is now questionable since the Minister of Information Lawrence Bropleh has gone on radio to take a side in the matter and castigated my reputation by spreading outright lies. Is this how one goes to Heaven through spreading lies on others just to keep a government job?

What would human rights advocate say if Charles Taylor or Samuel Doe regimes had stopped an Auditor General from leaving the country on mere allegations that he broke a glass door, which has been broken more than once? If Charles Taylor or Samuel Doe regimes had done without a Court order, what would human rights advocates say? RIA is part of the Government, reporting to the Presidency.

Was this an attempt of blackmail or yet another desperate fishing expedition to find a fault line to present to the Liberian people and international partners?

I know there is an urgent need to catch me on something but do not do it on a glass door that is about US$50. I have a career in America. I do not have to be an Auditor General to assist Madam Sirleaf to succeed. I did it prior to being Auditor General and I will do with or without an AG post. So there is no need to go after me with vengeance.

Signed_______________________

John S. Morlu, II

AUDITOR GENERAL, R.L

Signed this day 28th December A.D. 2007 in Northern Virginia

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© 2007 by The Perspective
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