A major corruption scandal has erupted at the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), with President/CEO Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis at the center of allegations involving the inflated purchase of a luxury SUV. The controversy has raised serious questions about financial mismanagement and potential abuse of public funds at the state-owned enterprise.
According to leaked documents, Dennis authorized the purchase of an MG 2024 Rx8 seven-seater SUV from Cactus Motors for US$75,000 in November 2024[1]. However, sales records from the dealership indicated that the actual duty-paid price of the vehicle, including a discount, was only US$45,000. This US$30,000 discrepancy has fueled suspicions of a deliberate attempt to siphon public funds through an inflated purchase price[1].
The scandal is particularly troubling given that NOCAL's outgoing CEO, Saifua Mai Gray, had reportedly purchased a brand new car for the CEO's office in 2023. Liberian law stipulates that new vehicles for such positions can only be acquired every three years, raising questions about the necessity and legality of Dennis's recent purchase[1].
Further compounding the issue, Dennis is accused of changing the office furniture shortly after taking office, despite her predecessor having furnished the CEO's office in 2023. This action has been criticized as an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer money[1].
The alleged scheme reportedly involved Dennis attempting to receive a US$30,000 kickback in cash from Cactus Motors. When this was refused due to tax implications, Dennis allegedly took possession of a second vehicle worth US$30,000, which was then registered as a private car under the name of her toiletry company, "Tanti"[1][5].
Investigations have implicated other NOCAL officials in the scandal. Comptroller Richmond Jallah and Internal Auditor Markanue Dainsee are accused of colluding with Dennis to orchestrate and cover up the fraudulent purchase[1]. Notably, the Vice President for Finance, Emmanuel Azango, reportedly warned against the transaction. At the same time, the Vice President for Administration, Boakai Jaleiba, was allegedly kept in the dark about the entire deal[1].
The scandal has drawn comparisons to a similar controversy that led to the resignation of former Commerce Minister Amin Modad in October 2024, who stepped down after purchasing a government vehicle exceeding the US$45,000 limit[1]. This precedent has intensified calls for action against Dennis and raised questions about President Joseph Boakai's commitment to combating corruption.
Critics, including activist Martin Kollie, have linked this scandal to broader concerns about Dennis's appointment to NOCAL. They point to her controversial tenure as a lawmaker and her electoral defeat in 2023 as reasons to question her suitability for the role[5]. Kollie has also accused Dennis of misusing NOCAL's Corporate Social Responsibility funds for personal political gain[5].
In response to the allegations, Dennis denied wrongdoing, stating that her official vehicle did not cost US$75,000 and that she does not sign checks alone[7]. She has characterized the accusations as politically motivated and expressed willingness to undergo a full audit by Liberia's General Auditing Commission[9].
As the controversy unfolds, it highlights the ongoing corruption and financial mismanagement challenges in Liberia's public sector. The case underscores the need for greater transparency, accountability, and adherence to procurement regulations in state-owned enterprises like NOCAL.
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References
[1] https://verityonlinenews.com/corruption-hits-nocal-ceo-dennis-hooked-in-car-scandal/
[2] https://nocal.com.lr/board-member/rustonlyn-dennis
[3] https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-nocal-clarifies-media-reports-over-alleged-misapplication-of-funds/
[4] https://www.nocal.com.lr/team-management
[5] https://smartnewsliberia.com/boakais-appointment-of-rustonlyn-dennis-questioned-after-75000-car-scandal-and-mismanagement-claims/
[6] https://www.facebook.com/p/Hon-Rustonlyn-Suacoco-Dennis-100063681701502/
[7] https://smartnewsliberia.com/nocal-ceo-denies-involvement-in-alleged-75k-vehicle-purchase-scandal/NOCAL's $75K Car Scandal: CEO Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis Accused, Siphoning FundsNOCAL's $75K Car Scandal: CEO Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis Accused, Siphoning FundsNOCAL's $75K Car Scandal: CEO Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis Accused, Siphoning Funds
[8] https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=654122297152223&id=100076633741803
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