The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has summoned Emmanuel Azango, Vice President for Finance at the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), as part of its ongoing investigation into allegations of financial misconduct and procurement fraud at the state-run oil company.
In a letter dated February 14, 2025, the LACC informed Azango that it is probing NOCAL’s administration for allegedly inflating the cost of a vehicle purchase and unlawfully awarding a consultancy contract between July and December 2024.
The commission claims NOCAL purchased a 2024 MG RX8 SUV from Cactus Motors for $75,000, while the actual price was $45,000. The alleged scheme involved NOCAL conspiring with Cactus Motors to divert the excess $30,000, reportedly used to acquire another vehicle registered under Tanti Group of Company, a business linked to NOCAL’s CEO.
Additionally, the LACC is investigating a $585,000 consultancy contract awarded to West Africa Geo-Services (WAGS), in which $300,000 was allegedly disbursed in violation of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) Act of 2009 and the Public Financial Management (PFM) Law of 2009.
Azango has been invited to appear before the LACC on February 17, 2025, at its headquarters on Old Road. He has been advised to bring a legal representative and relevant documents to aid the investigation.
Meanwhile, Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis, the suspended CEO of NOCAL, remains under investigation for her alleged role in authorizing the fraudulent vehicle purchase and facilitating the kickback scheme. Investigators believe she played a central role in the financial misconduct that has now entangled other company senior officials.
The LACC has urged full cooperation as it seeks to uncover the extent of corruption within NOCAL’s leadership.
