Published: October 12, 2026
MONROVIA — The CDC-Council of Patriots (CDC-COP) has formally petitioned the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to investigate the alleged withdrawal and mismanagement of US$25,000 from the National Port Authority (NPA), raising questions about whether money reportedly intended to compensate families of three people killed during the February 2024 Kinjor protest in Grand Cape Mount County ever reached its intended beneficiaries.
The complaint places NPA Managing Director Sekou H. Dukuly under scrutiny over his alleged involvement in facilitating the withdrawal, while demanding a comprehensive examination of financial records, payment authorizations and the individuals who reportedly received or handled the funds.
In a petition addressed to LACC Executive Chairperson Alexandra K. Zoe, the political pressure group questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged disbursement and called for an independent investigation to determine whether public resources were properly managed.
At the center of the controversy is the reported withdrawal of US$25,000 from the NPA on March 7, 2024, allegedly received in cash by Mohammed N. Kromah.
According to CDC-COP, the money was intended to support the families of Essah Massaley, Abraham Kerkula and Bagalie Kamara, who died during a community protest against the operations of Bea Mountain Mining Company in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County, on Feb. 29, 2024.
The organization alleged that the Executive Mansion had initially committed US$15,000 toward compensation for the bereaved families, but an additional US$10,000 was subsequently included in the amount reportedly withdrawn from the NPA.
CDC-COP is now demanding an explanation of who authorized the additional expenditure, why the amount increased from US$15,000 to US$25,000 and whether the entire sum was used for its stated purpose.
The petition also seeks to establish whether the reported withdrawal followed established public financial management procedures and whether supporting documentation exists to account for the expenditure.
Another major concern raised by the organization involves an alleged public statement attributed to Dukuly during a live radio broadcast.
According to CDC-COP, the NPA managing director reportedly indicated that the money was not distributed directly to the deceased victims’ families in cash but was instead used to purchase rice, Vita and other food items.
The organization wants the LACC to obtain the original recording of the broadcast, establish the accuracy and context of Dukuly’s reported statement and determine whether the alleged purchase of food items was consistent with the purpose for which the money was approved.
The petition raises questions about whether funds reportedly designated as compensation could legally be converted into food assistance without proper authorization, documentation and the knowledge of the intended beneficiaries.
CDC-COP further wants investigators to determine whether the families of Massaley, Kerkula and Kamara received any direct financial assistance or food supplies from the reported disbursement.
The organization is requesting a detailed review of NPA financial records, including withdrawal documents, payment vouchers, authorization letters, receipts, procurement records and any documentation identifying the ultimate beneficiaries.
It also wants investigators to establish the respective roles of individuals involved in approving, receiving, distributing or accounting for the money.
The group maintains that a transparent investigation is necessary to determine whether the alleged transactions complied with Liberia’s public financial management, procurement and anti-corruption laws.
It further called on the commission to recommend appropriate administrative, civil or criminal action if evidence of wrongdoing is established.
Signing the complaint, CDC-COP National Chairman Foday N. Massaquoi emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, particularly because the disputed funds were reportedly intended to assist families who lost loved ones during the Kinjor protest.
The organization argued that the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the subsequent compensation arrangement make it imperative for public officials to provide a clear account of how the money was handled.
CDC-COP maintained that if the funds were properly authorized and expended, an independent investigation should establish that fact and clear up public concerns.
However, it insisted that any proven misappropriation, abuse of authority or violation of financial regulations should attract the appropriate legal consequences.
The petition also places renewed attention on the February 29, 2024, Kinjor tragedy, during which three people died amid protests by residents over the operations of Bea Mountain Mining Company.
The deaths generated concerns over the treatment of communities affected by mining operations and the responsibilities of government authorities and concessionaires toward affected residents.
More than two years after the incident, CDC-COP’s complaint has brought the question of compensation for the victims’ families back into public discussion.
The organization is urging the LACC to establish whether the reported US$25,000 was disbursed as intended, converted into other forms of assistance or handled in a manner inconsistent with the original compensation arrangement.
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