The Ministry of Finance says more than 500 Pension Checks worth about Twelve Thousand United States Dollars have gone missing at the Ministry on Friday, January 18, 2013.

According to the Ministry of Finance Press Release, a stop payment request has been submitted to the Central Bank and other commercial Banks to ensure that checks with marching series numbers cannot be cashed.

The Release says an employee (name withheld) who was in charge of the checks told senior management Friday evening that some unknown persons reportedly walked into her office and made away with a bag containing the checks.

According to the Release, authorities of the Ministry of Finance, including the internal security unit launched an immediate investigation into the incident. The authorities also notified the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police to investigate the stolen checks incident.

The release says that the employee has been recommended for suspension without pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Amara Konneh has called on the police to accelerate the investigation in order for the culprits to be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of Liberia.