Suspended National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) CEO, Madam Rustonlyn Suakoko Dennis, missed her scheduled induction into the Bong County Bar Association on Monday, February 10, 2025, amid a high-profile corruption investigation. Dennis, who had been among four law graduates from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law set to be inducted into the legal profession, was absent when her name was called at the opening ceremony of the February 2025 Term of Court.
Her failure to appear at such a significant event has raised questions, especially in light of the ongoing investigation into her management of public funds during her tenure at NOCAL. The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has launched a probe into allegations of financial mismanagement, mainly focusing on a luxury vehicle purchased under her leadership for $75,000. The commission had warned Dennis that failing to cooperate with their inquiry could lead to swift legal action.
The missing CEO was due to be officially welcomed into the Bong County Bar, but her absence means she will have to wait until the next term of court in May 2025 before she can be formally inducted. Her case has garnered significant public attention, with many viewing it as a litmus test for Liberia’s commitment to tackling corruption at the highest levels of government.
Simultaneously, Dennis appeared before the LACC investigators on the same day, accompanied by her legal team, led by Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi. This marked a critical moment in the investigation to establish whether financial mismanagement occurred during Dennis’s brief stint at NOCAL from July to December 2024. At the heart of the inquiry is purchasing a luxury SUV, which some allege was obtained at an inflated price under suspicious circumstances.
As the investigation intensifies, the LACC focuses on whether Dennis’s actions as CEO resulted in other financial violations. Legal experts believe the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for Dennis and the future of anti-corruption efforts in Liberia. Public scrutiny continues to mount, and many call for the authorities to take decisive action.
Meanwhile, the ongoing investigation also uncovered that Dennis and her legal team deviated from an agreed-upon plan to return the vehicles linked to the probe to NOCAL’s offices. Instead of complying with instructions, the cars were taken to their law firm. This unexpected move raised concerns about possible attempts to conceal evidence, further deepening suspicions surrounding the entire affair.
Ultimately, the vehicles in question were handed over to the LACC, where they are now being held as critical evidence in the investigation. The LACC has assured the public that it will maintain full transparency throughout the process, and officials have vowed to release updates as the case unfolds.
Dennis’s failure to attend the induction ceremony is now just another chapter in a story that has captured the public’s attention. Whether she will face charges remains to be seen, but the LACC’s investigation into her conduct is now in full swing, with the commission promising to leave no stone unturned.
With President Joseph Boakai having already instructed Dennis to return all assets related to NOCAL while the investigation continues, the eyes of the country remain firmly on the developments.
