Corruption Scandal Hangs Over Mohammed Dukuly, Liberia-UAEAmbassador-Designate at Senate Confirmation Hearing

By: Laymah Kollie

 Liberia’s Ambassador-Designate to the
United Arab Emirates, Mohammed Dukuly, faced intense scrutiny during his Senate
confirmation hearing today over allegations of past corruption.

Senator Jonathan Boy Charles Sogbie of River Gee County questioned Dukuly
regarding a corruption scandal dating back to the transitional government of
Gyude Bryant.

According to Senator Sogbie, Dukuly was declared a fugitive after reportedly
fleeing Liberia and refusing to participate in an investigation into the
allegations.

Dukuly, who served as a senator from 1997 to 2003, was later appointed as
Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the International Organization for
Migration (IOM) from 2004 to 2005. Reports indicate that during his time at the
IOM, Dukuly, along with former Maritime Bureau Head J.D. Slanger, was indicted
for economic sabotage, involving the alleged misuse of funds amounting to
€700,000 (approximately USD $900,000).

When pressed by lawmakers, Dukuly did not directly address how he left the
country amid the investigation but claimed he later returned and engaged with
the then Minister of Justice concerning the allegations. He told the Senate
Plenary that, as a former government official, he left the country for personal
security reasons.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has temporarily halted the
confirmation process, requesting Dukuly to present documents that exonerate him
from the charges. The final decision on his confirmation remains pending until
further clarification is provided.