-Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis Reacts to LACC “Reindictment”
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis, the former President and CEO of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), has declared she is “prepared to face the law,” hours after the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) secured a court order authorizing her arrest and that of former Financial Controller Richmond Jallah should they attempt to leave the country.
In a statement issued Thursday evening via her official Facebook page, Dennis said she had been inundated with calls and messages from family and friends alerting her to what she described as “another indictment” from the LACC, and assured her loved ones that she had consulted her lawyer and would make herself available upon her return to Monrovia.
“I have received numerous calls and texts from family and friends alerting me of another indictment from LACC. I assured my family and loved ones that I have communicated same with my lawyer and will avail myself upon my return to Monrovia,” she said.
The former NOCAL boss did not mince words about her frustration with the anti-corruption body, stating that she had waited 20 months for the LACC “when they refused to come to court.” She linked the fresh indictment to her demands for withheld salaries from NOCAL.
“Let it be noted that I have waited for this LACC for 20 months when they refused to come to court. I have requested my withheld salaries from NOCAL; this prompted such arrogant response by mandating LACC to issue a re-indictment,” Dennis said.
She expressed hope that the LACC would this time appear before the court and afford her the opportunity to confront her accusers as guaranteed by law, and called for the indictment to be expanded to include more people at NOCAL.
“It’s my hope that LACC appears before the court this time around and gives me the opportunity to confront my accusers as enshrined by law. I am also optimistic that LACC will amend their indictment to indict more people at NOCAL; failure to do same will lead to a mockery of democracy and a miscarriage of justice,” she said. “I am prepared to face the law and accept a just outcome,” Dennis concluded.
The LACC disclosed on Thursday that it had secured a court order authorizing the arrest of the two former NOCAL officials should they attempt to leave the country. Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousman Feika issued the Writ of Ne Exeat Republica on Thursday following an application filed by the LACC.
The writ targets Dennis and former Financial Controller Richmond Jallah. The two former officials face allegations including economic sabotage, misuse and illegal disbursement of public funds, tampering with public records, criminal conspiracy, facilitation, and attempt.
They are also accused of violating Liberia’s public procurement and public financial management laws. The court has instructed the Montserrado County Sheriff to arrest the defendants if they attempt to leave Liberia and bring them before the court.
The LACC said the allegations remain unproven until determined by a competent court, stressing that the defendants are entitled to due process under Liberian law.
