….Managing Director Sekou Dukuly
By Amos Harris
Monrovia, Liberia – In what is rapidly becoming one of Liberia’s most sensational corruption scandals, Sekou Hussein Dukuly, the controversial Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA), is under intense police investigation over allegations that he defrauded a Chinese investor of more than $5 million in a series of dubious business dealings.
The revelations, which have sent shockwaves through Liberia’s political and business communities, center around claims that Dukuly, a self-proclaimed millionaire and high-ranking government official, orchestrated a multi-layered scheme involving deception, forgery, and misappropriation of funds intended for investment in Liberia’s natural resources and manufacturing sectors.
At the heart of the scandal is a legal complaint filed by Mr. Yang Dan, a prominent Chinese investor and representative of A.M. Duke Investment Group. According to a confidential document obtained by this news outlet, Mr. Yang accuses Dukuly of manipulating him into a business partnership under false pretenses, leading to financial losses exceeding $5 million.
Mr. Yang alleges that he was lured into the Liberian market by Dukuly with promises of a lucrative mining operation and a high-yield water bottling facility. However, the venture quickly turned sour. Among the most damning allegations are:
- Misappropriation of $1.1 million supposedly allocated for securing mining licenses. Yang claims that the funds vanished without any documentation or proof of licensing being processed.
- Diversion of $2.5 million earmarked for the establishment of a mineral water bottling facility. The project, according to Yang, never materialized. Instead, the money was allegedly funneled into personal expenses.
- Lavish personal spending, including the purchase of high-end luxury items such as Rolex watches and first-class airline tickets, all reportedly paid for using investment funds.
- Illegal seizure of property, including heavy-duty machinery and equipment shipped into Liberia for use in the proposed water plant, which Dukuly is accused of confiscating and using for unrelated personal ventures.
Yang further claims that Dukuly restricted his access to the operational site and sabotaged the project by allegedly influencing certain government agencies to delay or deny necessary permits and registrations.
The legal complaint outlines a disturbing chain of events. In a particularly alarming twist, Dukuly allegedly coerced other Chinese nationals, business affiliates of Yang, into filing a counter-complaint against him. This maneuver briefly landed Yang in legal trouble and appears to have been an attempt to discredit his claims and divert attention from Dukuly’s own misconduct.
“This was clearly an act of retaliation,” said a legal analyst familiar with the case. “If proven, it demonstrates a deliberate abuse of power and an orchestrated campaign to shield himself from scrutiny.”
Sources within the Liberia National Police confirm that a formal investigation is underway. Senior police officers have described the matter as “sensitive and high-profile,” suggesting that multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Justice and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), are now involved.
“We are examining all available evidence including bank wire transfers, corporate registrations, import documents and records of property ownership,” a police source revealed under condition of anonymity. “If the allegations are confirmed, there could be broader implications beyond Mr. Dukuly himself.”
Indeed, investigators are said to be looking into the possibility that other senior officials at the National Port Authority or within the Ministry of Mines may have either knowingly or unknowingly facilitated the scheme.
The magnitude of the scandal has sparked national outrage and raised fresh concerns about the trustworthiness of public officials in Liberia’s key government institutions. Critics are questioning how such an elaborate financial manipulation could have occurred without internal checks or whistleblowers raising red flags.
“This case symbolizes the very governance challenges we’ve been trying to fix,” said one civil society leader. “The fact that a sitting Managing Director can be credibly accused of defrauding a foreign investor signals serious flaws in institutional oversight.”
Members of the Liberian business community and diplomatic corps are reportedly monitoring the situation closely. Several international investors have already expressed concern over the case, noting that such incidents could undermine Liberia’s reputation as a safe and reliable destination for foreign direct investment.
A government spokesperson, who wished to remain unnamed due to the ongoing investigation, commented: “We are aware of the situation involving Mr. Sekou Dukuly and the ongoing police investigation. The Government remains committed to transparency and accountability. We urge all parties to allow the legal process to unfold without prejudice.”
However, civil society organizations and anti-corruption watchdogs are calling for Dukuly’s immediate suspension pending the outcome of the investigation. “Leaving him in office undermines public trust,” said the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL). “It also sends a dangerous message that powerful individuals can operate with impunity.”
Prior to his appointment at the NPA, Sekou Dukuly had already drawn mixed reactions for his flamboyant lifestyle and claims of vast personal wealth. His tenure at the port authority has been marred by controversy, including allegations of nepotism and unilateral decision-making.
Dukuly, however, has consistently portrayed himself as a reformer and business-savvy leader who aims to modernize Liberia’s ports and attract global partnerships. In public speeches and media appearances, he frequently boasted about attracting foreign capital and improving port efficiency. The current scandal starkly contradicts that narrative. Legal experts say that if convicted, Dukuly could face significant jail time, asset forfeiture, and permanent disqualification from holding public office.
In a statement released through his legal team, Mr. Yang Dan said he remains committed to seeing justice served. “I entered Liberia with hope and a sincere desire to contribute to its development,” Yang said. “What I encountered was betrayal, corruption, and a lack of legal protection. I am cooperating fully with investigators and trust that the truth will prevail.”
Yang is reportedly considering a civil suit against Dukuly in addition to the criminal charges. The suit, which may be filed in both Liberian and international courts, could seek recovery of the full $5 million as well as damages for breach of contract and reputational harm.
This scandal comes at a time when the Liberian government is actively courting foreign investment to stimulate economic growth and reduce dependency on aid. The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning recently launched several campaigns promoting Liberia as “open for business.” But incidents like the Dukuly case threaten to derail those efforts. “Investors require certainty, trust, and legal protection,” said a local economist. “This scandal undermines all three pillars.”
Stakeholders are urging the government to respond decisively—not only by prosecuting the case but also by enacting systemic reforms to prevent future abuse. Recommendations include stronger whistleblower protections and enhanced oversight mechanisms.
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