Monrovia – Sekou A. M. Dukuly, Managing Director of the Nationwide Port Authority (NPA), has denied allegations by his Chinese language enterprise associate, Yang Dan, that he defrauded him of tens of millions of U.S. {dollars} and blocked entry to their collectively established companies.
Yang just lately filed a grievance with the Liberia Nationwide Police (LNP), accusing Dukuly of fraud and misappropriation. The LNP has since launched a felony investigation into the matter.
In accordance with the grievance, filed by legal professionals representing Yang, a significant shareholder within the A.M. Duke Funding Group of Firms, Dukuly allegedly obtained greater than US$3.6 million underneath false pretenses for joint ventures, together with the development of a mineral water bottling plant and the institution of a mining firm.
The Allegations
Yang’s legal professionals allege that a mineral water manufacturing unit was inbuilt Liberia at a price of about US$2.55 million, totally funded by Yang. Dukuly allegedly offered land for the power and agreed to contribute equally however solely wired US$330,000—funds Yang claims have been largely spent on luxurious items and private bills for Dukuly.
On the mining ventures, Yang alleged he offered an extra US$1.13 million for mining licenses and permits, however none have been delivered.
Misuse of funds: Yang allegedly financed renovations of Dukuly’s properties and bought luxurious gadgets, together with Rolex watches and electronics, for him.
Olesman Toe Brown Brown, an affiliate of Dukuly, allegedly obtained US$220,000 for licenses and authorized charges that by no means materialized and is accused of unlawfully seizing Yang’s truck and excavator.
Yang mentioned when he demanded accountability in late 2024, Dukuly allegedly influenced Yang’s enterprise associates to file felony costs towards him, resulting in Yang’s prosecution for allegedly misusing US$4.5 million.
Yang additional alleged he was bodily attacked by 4 Chinese language nationals on the Silk Street Chinese language Restaurant in Could 2025, sustaining head accidents.
Yang’s authorized crew has urged the LNP to take felony motion towards Dukuly and Brown, citing a number of violations of Liberian regulation.
Dukuly’s Response
By his legal professionals at Heritage Companions and Associates, Dukuly and his affiliate, Olesman Brown, dismissed the allegations as “baseless falsehoods” geared toward tarnishing his fame.
“Our purchasers categorically deny and denounce all of the allegations contained within the grievance,” the legal professionals wrote to Police Inspector Common Col. Gregory Coleman on Could 12, 2025. “Even when any of the claims have been true, they contain industrial transactions that fall underneath civil regulation, not felony regulation.”
On water bottling plant allegation, Dukuly admitted getting into a partnership however known as Yang’s US$2.55 million funding declare “false and deceptive.” He insisted he personally invested about US$1.35 million, whereas Yang and others contributed round US$1 million.
For the mining operations, Dukuly confirmed receiving US$308,741.82 from Yang for licenses and operations however maintained that every one funds have been used appropriately.
Claims towards Brown – Brown denied receiving US$220,000, although he acknowledged amassing US$99,700 for enterprise bills. He additionally denied seizing Yang’s tools, saying it was moved with Yang’s consent.
Dukuly additionally rejected claims that he demanded Rolex watches, electronics, or house furnishings. He countered that he paid for his personal gadgets and even gave Yang US$75,000 for renovations, of which solely US$18,000 was spent.
The Authorized Place
Dukuly and Brown’s legal professionals argued that the case is strictly a industrial dispute and urged the police to dismiss the grievance. They additional accused Yang of retaliation, linking his grievance to the continuing trial during which the federal government is prosecuting him for allegedly misapplying US$4.5 million from Chinese language traders.
“The police shouldn’t be dragged into non-criminal issues,” Dukuly’s legal professionals concluded, calling for Yang to hunt civil cures as a substitute.
Nevertheless, Yang’s legal professionals have termed Dukuly’s admittance to getting into a enterprise enterprise with Yang and overtly telling the police to desert the investigation—as a result of it’s a civil matter—as his tacit confession to the crime. It is because there’s irrefutable proof that Dukuly denied Yang entry to the companies, they mentioned.
