Liberia court orders sealing of NOCAL and Finance Ministry over debt

The Commercial Court for Montserrado County has ordered the closure and sealing of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. The action follows a decade-old severance dispute that has escalated to a total debt of US$764,762.

Chief Judge Eva Mappy Morgan directed the court sheriff to seal the entrances of both institutions and remove occupants to enforce the judgment. The legal battle originated from severance claims filed by former NOCAL officials Vida A. Mensah and Cllr. Idella Cooper-Shannon following a 2015 restructuring. While the original claims were approximately US$85,000 each, interest and penalties have significantly increased the total award.

NOCAL Vice President for Finance and Investment and CFO Emmanuel Azango was held in contempt by the court during the proceedings. Azango has stated that the debt is an old obligation and that the Ministry of Finance is responsible for handling the payment.