Suspended Passport Director (Andrew Wonplo) Request Open Investigation from US Government into Passport Racketeering During Weah's Administration

Monrovia: Andrew D. Wonplo, Sr. Embattled Director of Passport & Visas has officially written the United States Embassy near Monrovia registering that he is a Whistleblower (a nomenclature bestowed upon him based on evidence obtained through the work of independent and investigative journalists as reported in various digital and print media over the last few years) that needs protection for his life. 
Mr. Wonplo who is currently under suspension for his stands for accountability and a corruption free country disclosure according to his letter to the Charge d’affaires of the United States Embassy relates the Passports Saga of Liberia which is a key matter of utmost importance to the Nation and its people. 

‘’U.S. Department placed a Sanction on me and my family. It is with a profound sense of responsibility and a commitment to justice that I bring forth this information” He revealed.
Mr. Wonplo reasserted that the U.S. Department of State, particularly under the administration of the 45th President, Donald J. Trump, has been knowingly misinformed by the Liberian Government, led by President Weah through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The  main reason for such a gross misinformation by individuals of the Liberian Government, he said, was to incriminate and later silence or kill him. And, it was also an attempt to conceal corrupt practices and conceal connections to potential terrorists and drug dealers through the sale of privileged and diplomatic passports to non-Liberian across the globe.

The Passports Saga involves a systematic manipulation of information, facilitated by the Weah led Government to present a distorted image of the country's affairs. 
Mr. Andrew Wonplo expressed sadness stating: Diplomatic Passports issuance to a particular group of privileged and non- Liberians are critical aspect of national security and being compromised for ulterior motives that jeopardize not only the integrity of Liberia but also pose potential threats to International security, particularly involving ties to terrorism and drug trafficking is unimaginable.

He emphasized ‘’my decision to come forward as a whistleblower is not new to current and former officials of the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia and is rooted in my unwavering belief in the American justice system. While aware that the wheels of justice turn slowly, I am confident in its ability to ensure a thorough investigation and an unbiased judgment. No one, regardless of their position or influence, should be exempted from accountability. And when it comes to matters of national and international security, it should be a concern of all. That is why I have written President-Elect Joseph N. Boakai to seek his government assistance and protection as I prepare to come forward as a whistleblower and witness in a matter of utmost importance to our motherland, Liberia.

According to Mr. Wonolo's letter to Madam Catherine Rodriguez, he understands the gravity of the allegations he is making, and he is fully prepared to cooperate with any competent & impartial justice system as he has been doing prior to him being force to flee into exile for fear of his life when those that were directly involved with the sale of privileged passports to non- Liberian had a team set up to kill him (Wonplo) as a means of preventing him from exposing their ugly and corrupt deals, especially after they knowingly misled the U.S. Government and any damaging evidence or pieces of information that may arise from this disclosure, as previously noted in local and international media outlets, as well as to some officials of the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia. 

‘’My commitment to the Liberia people as a public servant and to justice and the principles that underpin a democratic society drive me to bring this information to the attention of the U.S. Government, firstly, through your office, Your Excellency, Charge d’affaires Catherine Rodriguez. In submitting this information, I firmly believe that every citizen and/or everyone are entitled to a free and fair trial, including those who may be implicated in the Passport Saga. It is my hope that the U.S. Government will use its resources and influence to ensure a just and transparent investigation into these allegations, upholding the principles of democracy, justice, and the rule of law.”

In the heart of my convictions lies a profound belief in the American justice system, a system designed to be a beacon of fairness, accountability, and the safeguarding of individual rights and freedom. I acknowledge that its wheels may turn slowly, but with unwavering certainty. In this system, no one is deemed above the law, and everyone is entitled to a trial that is not only free but also fair.
The suspended Passports and Visas Director noted that his faith in the justice system stems from the fundamental principles upon which it was built, a system that upholds the rule of law, where justice is dispensed without favoritism or discrimination, fosters a society where all individuals, regardless of their background or status, are treated equally before the eyes of the law.

Below is a full text of Mr. Andrew Wonplo’s letter to the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia:

Mr. Andrew D. Wonplo, Sr.
Director of Passport & Visas (Currently Under Suspension)
Republic of Liberia, West Africa
January 12, 2024
Madam Catherine Rodriguez
Charge d’affaires
United States Embassy Near Monrovia
502 Benson Street
Monrovia, Liberia

Subject: The Liberian Passports Scandal Vis-à-vis, The U.S. Sanction

Your Excellency, Charge d’affaires Catherine Rodriguez:

Let me seize this opportunity to firstly appreciate the Almighty God for the gift of life. Secondly, President Joseph Biden for your preferment, especially when Liberia as a country is at a crossroad and needs individuals of high repute, integrity, commitment to the rule of law, governance, promotion of democratic tendencies, the eradication of corruptions, etc., to ensure that Liberia, a long standing partner of the United States succeeds.

Holding to evidence of your contributions in Pakistan (Lahore), while serving as Consul General, as well as when you served as Chief of Office Staff for the Director General Office U.S. Foreign Service and Acting under Secretary for 
Management, a Regional Director of the Office of Foreign Missions and as a Diplomat in Residence, just to name few, your performance was a class and I believe you will replicate that and more in Liberia.

I am Andrew D. Wonplo, Sr., Embattled Director of Passports & Visas (Currently Under Suspension), Republic of Liberia. 
I am writing to officially register, reiterate, and submit to the United States (U.S.) Government through your esteemed office that I am a whistleblower. My disclosure pertains to a matter of utmost importance the Passports Saga of Liberia and the U.S. Department Sanction on me and my family. It is with a profound sense of responsibility and a commitment to justice that I bring forth this information.

I would like to reassert that the U.S. Department of State, particularly under the administration of the 45th President, Donald
J. Trump has been knowingly misinformed by the Liberian Government, led by President Weah, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
The purpose behind this deliberate misinformation is to my knowledge, an attempt to conceal corrupt practices and conceal connections to potential terrorists and drug dealers through the sale of privileged Liberian passports (i.e., diplomatic passports to be specific) to non-Liberians across the globe).

The Passports Saga involves a systematic manipulation of information, facilitated by the Liberian government (The Weah led Government), to present a distorted image of the country's affairs. Passport issuance, a critical aspect of national security, is being compromised for ulterior motives that jeopardize not only the integrity of Liberia but also pose potential threats to international security, particularly involving ties to terrorism and drug trafficking.

My decision to come forward as a whistleblower is not new to current and former officials of the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia and is rooted in my unwavering belief in the American justice system. While aware that the wheels of justice turn slowly, I am confident in its ability to ensure a thorough investigation and an unbiased judgment. No one, regardless of their position or influence, should be exempted from accountability. And when it comes to matters of national and international security, it should be a concern of all. That is why I have written President-Elect Joseph N. Boakai to seek his government assistance and protection as I prepare to come forward as a whistleblower and witness in a matter of utmost importance to our motherland, Liberia.

I understand the gravity of the allegations I am making, and I am fully prepared to cooperate with any competent & impartial 
justice system (as I was doing prior to me being force to flee into exile for fear of my life when those that were directly involved with the sale of privileged Liberian passports had a team set up to kill me as a means of preventing me from exposing their ugly and corrupt deals, especially after they knowingly misled the U.S. Government.) that may arise from this disclosure, as previously noted in local and international outlets, as well as to some officials of the U.S. Embassy near
Monrovia. 

My commitment to the Liberia people as a public servant and to justice and the principles that underpin a democratic society drives me to bring this information to the attention of the U.S. Government, firstly, through your office, Your Excellency, Charge d’affaires Catherine Rodriguez.
In submitting this information, I firmly believe that every citizen and/or everyone are entitled to a free and fair trial, including those who may be implicated in the Passport Saga. It is my hope that the U.S. Government will use its resources and influence to ensure a just and transparent investigation into these allegations, upholding the principles of democracy, justice, and the rule of law.

In the heart of my convictions lies a profound belief in the American justice system, a system designed to be a beacon of fairness, accountability, and the safeguarding of individual rights and freedom. I acknowledge that its wheels may turn slowly, but with unwavering certainty. In this system, no one is deemed above the law, and everyone is entitled to a trial that is not only free but also fair.
This faith in the justice system stems from the fundamental principles upon which it was built. A system that upholds the rule of law, where justice is dispensed without favoritism or discrimination, fosters a society where all individuals, regardless of their background or status, are treated equally before the eyes of the law.

The commitment to due process ensures that every accused person has the right to a fair and impartial trial. This includes the right to be heard, the right to legal representation, and the right to confront one's accusers. Such principles underscore the idea that justice is not merely a swift outcome but a thorough and deliberate process. And I believe that the administration of President-Elect Joseph N. Boakai holds these truths and will ensure my protection in bringing this to fruition.

While acknowledging the system's imperfections, I remain steadfast in the belief that the core tenets of justice prevail. It serves as a check against arbitrary power and a protector of the rights and liberties of everyone. This conviction compels me to trust that, in the end, the wheels of justice will deliver a verdict based on truth, evidence, and the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
In embracing this belief, I contribute to the collective faith that allows the justice system to function as bedrock of societal order, ensuring that no one, regardless of their station in life, is immune to accountability. It is through this unwavering commitment to justice that the ideals of a fair and free society persist and endure.

Here’s what to know, and this is consistent with my previous statement:
The Government of Liberia (GoL), led by President George Weah has over the years directed the issuance of privileged passports to Liberians and non-Liberians obtaining privileged opportunities from the Chief Executive (i.e., President of Liberia) either being appointed as Heads of Governmental Entities, Commissioned Officers, Honorary Counsels or individuals being honored by the state through the office of the President of Liberia during his/her tenure.

Note: The diplomatic passport is not a right to citizenship. It is a book of honor. The diplomatic passports were issued to heads of governmental entities, all commission officers at embassies of Liberia around the world and any one the Chief Executive (i.e. President Weah) will prefer to have it as a way of honor. The policy regarding the issuance of the diplomatic passports (I wish to emphasize, non-Liberians included) states that the entitled has the right to write and request for diplomatic passports for his/her partner and all members of his/her household below the age of 18 years. 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time (i.e., Gbehzohngar Milton Findley) often acts in the place of the Chief Executive (i.e. President Weah) when it came to the issuance of diplomatic passports. For special cases, the President will work directly with the Director of Passport (Andrew D. Wonplo, Sr., currently Under Suspension) via communication with instructions always emanating from the Office of the Chief of Protocol of the Executive Mansion (Nora Finda Bundoo), Minister of State (MOS) for Presidential Affairs Without Portfolio (Trokon Kpui) or the Assistant Minister for Logistics, MOS (James Emmanuel Potter).

Contrary to ordinary passports, privileged passports do not require prove of citizenship of the Republic of Liberia (RL) for the issuance of said passports. Below is the process to vet Honorary Counsels (Non-Liberians) for the issuance of diplomatic passports: a special committee comprising of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, National Security Agency (NSA), etc. vets all applicants for Honorary Counsels’ positions and later forward the “approved” names of individuals to the Director of Passport through a status letter of communication, directing the Passport Director to issue passports to said individuals. Meanwhile, given the magnitude of the size of the commission (which is one of major tools of appointment) that is issued and signed by the President of Liberia and his Foreign Minister, it couldn’t be scanned into the passport system. However, it is required by the Director of Passport to ONLY view and authenticate the signatures of the President and the Foreign Minister as further means of approval.

2) The Director of Passport at the time (i.e., Andrew D. Wonplo, Sr., like any other Director of Passport was compelled to issue diplomatic passports in that regard once the approval came from the highest echelon of the government as earlier described), receives the status letter of communications of vetted and “approved” individuals from the Special Committee and process the applications. It is important to point out that each status letter received from the committee were processed and later saved in the GOL secured system at the Division of Passports at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

3) These non-Liberians who were issued diplomatic passports will later go to serve as Honorary Counsels on behalf of the Liberian Government at various locations around the world as they were vetted. Although it was part of my job as Director of Passports to issue privileged passports and NOT to approve the issuance of these passports by law, it has been my concern that the vetting of the Honorary Counsels was done without my input. It was imperative that I (like any other Passport Director) was duty-bound to issue said Honorary Counsels diplomatic passports once the communication came from the top. The communication was explicit in its directive, and as requested”. This process give rise to the issuance of diplomatic passports to numerous non-Liberians across the world. 

Now, given the fact that the United States Department of States is questioning the integrity or character of non-Liberians carrying privileged Liberian passports, shouldn’t we be focusing our attention to the vetting process of these individuals and not accusing or hunting down the Director of Passports who simply took explicit orders and was not even a member of the special vetting committee? Isn’t it probable that some of these privileged individuals who are non-Liberians and holders of diplomatic passports are bad actors?

When the U.S. State Department made the announcement designating me and my family, I immediately went public. The next day, I received information that the Government of Liberia (led by President Weah) had communicated with security apparatus to have me and all those closed to me captured before the U.S. Government can get to me or them. Within less than an hour, heavily armed men were at my house. I than fled for my life and left my home since Saturday morning, 
September 19, 2020. I’m afraid for my life, the lives of my families and all those friends who are much closed to me.

The source of my fear (for my life) can be attributed to what had happened to the Late Matthew J. Innis, a Permanent Resident of the United States of America (Louisville, Kentucky) and former Deputy Director for Micro-finance in the Central Bank of Liberia’s Regulation and Supervision Department at the Central Bank of Liberia, who was mysteriously killed as reported in various news media. According to news outlets, the late Innis, “openly expressed opposition not only to the commanding role played by Finance Minister Samuel Tweah in the US$25 million infusion exercise, but also to the manner in which the exercise was being handled outside regular and conventional banking procedures and practices.

”Immediately after I fled the country due to treat on my life, three auditors of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and the Director General of the 
General Auditing Commission of Liberia was found dead. These are individuals who differed with the higher ups of government on key policies issues. These repeated deaths further informed my decision to remain in exile."

Consequent of the above, the U.S. Department of State has been willfully misinformed by the Liberian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the sole purpose of covering up corrupt practices and ties to potential terrorists and drugs dealers a like. And now, because of this announcement by the U.S. State Department, the Liberian Government led by President Weah will go at any length to silence me. And killing me is an option for them. It was made cleared in a meeting according to my source, that I must be captured before the U.S. Government gets to me.

To the United States Government through your esteemed office, Your Excellency, Charge d’affaires Catherine Rodriguez, I, Andrew D. Wonplo, Sr.is willing to come to the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia or any other location deemed safe inside or outside of Liberia to meet with designated officials to discuss or provide any critical pieces of information the Embassy and/or State Department may need. My life and the lives of families and a few close friends are not safe with the current Government of Liberia! This is also a SOS call to the Economic Community of West African States 
(ECOWAS) and various organs of the United Nations! 

Thank you for your time, consideration, and, most importantly, for your unwavering commitment to the ideals that make Liberia a beacon of hope in our region in partnership with the Government of Liberia under the leadership of President Elect Joseph N. Boakai.

I can be contacted via WhatsApp, Cell Number: +231555835771
Yours sincerely,

Mr. Andrew D. Wonplo, Sr. (Currently Under Suspension)