The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has initiated an investigation into Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis, the President and CEO of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), due to allegations of financial misconduct and corruption under her leadership.
The investigation is centered on claims that Dennis approved the purchase of a luxury vehicle, a 2024 MG with plate number RX8 SUV, for $75,000. However, sources indicate the vehicle’s actual price was only $45,000, raising concerns about the additional $30,000.
Investigators allege that Dennis colluded with Cactus Motors to obtain kickbacks from the inflated price, which were reportedly funneled into a second vehicle registered under her private company, Tanti Group of Companies.
Additional accusations suggest that Dennis abused her authority to secure a consultancy contract worth $585,000 with West Africa Geo-Services (WAGS). The LACC’s investigation indicates that $300,000 of this amount was improperly paid to the contractor, violating Liberia’s Public Procurement and Concessions Act (PPCA) as well as the Public Financial Management Law (PFML) of 2009.
Furthermore, Dennis is accused of misappropriating funds designated for NOCAL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, allegedly redirecting significant portions of these funds to political supporters in her home district, District Number Four in Montserrado County.
The LACC has invited Dennis to provide relevant information to assist in the investigation, especially considering her confrontational responses to critics on social media. On February 3, she publicly lashed out at citizens and online commentators who raised concerns about her actions.
A meeting was scheduled for February 6, 2025, at LACC headquarters, where Dennis was expected to provide information related to the ongoing investigation. Critics argue that as the head of NOCAL, a key entity responsible for managing Liberia’s oil resources, she should be held to the same standards as other government officials.
The national oil company of Liberia was established in 2002 to regulate crude oil operations in the country. Since its inception, the company has been involved in controversies, including the misallocation of millions of dollars in exploration funds by former CEO Robert Sirleaf, who is also the son of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
