Court dismisses indictment against former NOCAL CEO Suacoco Dennis over trial delays

Published: March 18, 2026

MONROVIA — Criminal Court ‘C’ has dismissed the indictment against former National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) CEO Rustolyn Suacoco Dennis and co-defendant Richman Jallah, ruling that the government violated their constitutional right to a timely trial.

In a March 17, 2026, decision, Resident Circuit Judge Ousman F. Feika found that prosecutors failed to commence trial within the timeframe mandated by Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, allowing two successive terms of court to pass without substantive action on the case.

The ruling followed an eight-count motion to dismiss filed by the defense on February 9, 2026. The defendants argued that the state had “failed, neglected, and refused” to advance the case since the indictment was served, in violation of Chapter 18, Section 18.2 of the law, which requires timely prosecution or dismissal.

Judge Feika agreed, emphasizing that the burden to move a case forward rests squarely with the prosecution. He rejected the government’s argument that the defendants should have taken steps to place the case on the trial docket, warning that such a requirement would undermine statutory protections designed to safeguard accused persons.

“The responsibility to show good cause for delay lies with the prosecution,” the court held, noting that no legally sufficient justification had been presented.

Prosecutors had cited a congested court docket, including multiple criminal cases such as drug and theft prosecutions, as a factor in the delay. They also argued that dismissal would not bar the state from re-indicting the defendants, rendering the motion ineffective.

But the court dismissed those arguments as inadequate under the law. Citing legal standards, including definitions of “good cause,” Judge Feika ruled that administrative challenges such as workload do not excuse failure to comply with statutory timelines.

The indictment was dismissed without prejudice, leaving open the possibility that the state may refile charges. The court further ordered that the defendants be discharged and their constitutional rights fully restored, including their freedom of movement, which had been restricted during the pendency of the case.

The defense had argued that the prolonged delay subjected the defendants to significant hardship, including travel limitations that affected medical care, business activities, and family obligations abroad — conditions the court found consistent with a violation of their rights.

Background of Allegations

The case stems from a February 27, 2025 investigation in which authorities alleged that Dennis, during her tenure as NOCAL CEO, engaged in multiple acts of corruption.

Investigators accused her of conspiring with Cactus Motors to inflate the price of a vehicle procurement deal, with alleged kickbacks used to acquire a second vehicle through her private entity, Tanti Group of Companies.

She was also accused of using her position to facilitate a $585,000 consultancy contract with West Africa Geo-Services (WAGS). According to findings from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), approximately $300,000 was paid in violation of the Public Procurement and Concessions Act and the Public Financial Management Law of 2009.

Additionally, the probe alleged that funds intended for NOCAL’s Corporate Social Responsibility programs were diverted to political supporters in her Montserrado County district.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, the court’s ruling focused strictly on procedural compliance, underscoring that failure to prosecute within the legally prescribed timeframe is sufficient grounds for dismissal — regardless of the underlying claims.