Monrovia, Liberia – Madam Rustonlyn Suakoko Dennis, the President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), has been suspended by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. The President’s action comes after the NOCAL Board of Directors recommended Madam Dennis be suspended for act of alleged corruption noting that the accusations be looked thoroughly.
Madam Dennis has been directed to transfer all government assets under her control to the temporary team led by NOCAL’s Vice President for Operations, Mr. Fabian Michael Lai, who will take temporary charge of the NOCAL’s operations.
NOCAL’s Vice President for Operations, Mr. Fabian Michael Lai
The Executive Mansion states that President Boakai has ordered an investigation into the claims made against Madam Dennis and that the Government of Liberia is still dedicated to openness, responsibility, and good governance in all areas, especially in the management of the nation’s natural resources.
Last week, there were information of the suspended CEO was found in the act of corruption. In response to accusations of misusing public funds, the CEO of Liberia’s National Oil Company (NOCAL), Rustonlyn Suakoko Dennis strongly denied media claims that she spent $75,000 on a luxury car.
Madam Dennis justified stating that the official car she drives was not purchased for the purported $75,000. “The CEO understands that the role is one of trust and contains sensitive information, she explained. As a result, a CEO will not travel in the same vehicle as her employees, drivers, and security. The CEO may use her official car for official business, but she also owns a utility vehicle for running errands.”
Dennis was under severe attack when it was revealed in stolen records that NOCAL had approved a withdrawal of US$75,000 to buy a seven-seater SUV, the MG 2024 RX8. It is reported that the vehicle was purchased for only US$45,000, sparking questions about the missing US$30,000.
Further investigations uncovered alarming allegations. Madam Dennis allegedly demanded a US$30,000 fee from the dealership that handled the purchase, Cactus Motors, according to sources. Following the dealership’s alleged refusal, Madam Dennis allegedly diverted a different car, valued at US$30,000, and registered it under her own sanitation business, “Tanti.”
