By Sara Camara
Monrovia, Liberia – Sekou A. M. Dukuly, the Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA), is under criminal investigation by the Liberia National Police (LNP) following allegations that he defrauded a Chinese investor, Yang Dan, of upwards of US$3.6 million. Mr. Dukuly has vehemently denied the accusations, branding them a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
According to a formal complaint filed by the law firm J. Johnny Momoh & Associates Legal Chambers, Inc. on behalf of Mr. Yang Dan, a major shareholder in the A.M. Duke Investment Group of Companies, Mr. Dukuly allegedly received funds under false pretenses for several joint business ventures. These ventures reportedly included the construction of a mineral water bottling plant and the establishment of a mining company.
The complaint, addressed to LNP Inspector General Col. Gregory Coleman, details that Mr. Yang arrived in Liberia in November 2022 seeking investment opportunities and was introduced to Mr. Dukuly in March 2023. Following initial discussions, Dukuly allegedly visited China for two weeks, with all expenses covered by Yang.
The lawyers claim that a mineral water bottling plant was subsequently constructed in Liberia at a cost of approximately US$2.55 million, entirely funded by Yang. Dukuly, according to the complaint, provided the land and agreed to equally contribute to the investment.
The complaint further alleges that Dukuly wired US$330,000 to Yang’s Australian account, claiming it was his share of the investment. However, the lawyers allege that a significant portion of these funds were used for personal luxury items for Dukuly, including lighting fixtures, vehicle parts, designer goods, Rolex watches, electronics, and business-class travel. Yang also allegedly paid for renovations to properties associated with Dukuly.
In addition, the complaint accuses Dukuly of receiving another US$1.13 million from Yang under the pretense of securing mining licenses and other permits, which were reportedly never obtained.
Adding another layer to the complex situation, the lawyers allege that when Yang demanded accountability in November 2024, Dukuly retaliated by influencing Yang’s Chinese business associates to file a criminal complaint against him. Yang is now facing trial at the Monrovia City Court, charged with theft of property amounting to over US$4.5 million.
The complaint also implicates Olesman Toe Brown, an associate of Dukuly, alleging he received US$220,000 from Yang and his staff for licenses and legal fees that never materialized. Brown is further accused of unlawfully seizing and leasing Yang’s Foton truck and excavator, allegedly resulting in damage to the equipment.
Furthermore, Yang’s legal team alleges he was physically assaulted by four Chinese nationals at the Silk Road Chinese Restaurant in Congo Town on May 23, 2025, resulting in multiple head injuries.
The lawyers are requesting the LNP to take criminal action against Dukuly and Brown, citing violations of Liberian law and constitutional rights.
Responding to the allegations, Mr. Dukuly has strongly denied all claims, asserting that they are part of a smear campaign intended to malign his character. He claims that Yang Dan is the actual fraudster, having allegedly duped fellow Chinese investors and the company out of millions of dollars.
Dukuly alleges that Yang misrepresented his ownership status in Duke Global Investment Limited and defrauded several investors by offering bogus shares and partnerships. As a result, the company and several Chinese investors filed a criminal complaint against Yang with the LNP, leading to the ongoing case in court.
Chinese investors Luo Wei, Bingli Guo, Chunmei Yin, Hong Yin, Wei Jing, and Lijun Ding accuse Yang of masterminding a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme, falsely claiming to be the majority shareholder in Duke Global and promising equity in exchange for large investments. They claim Yang acted without the knowledge or consent of Mr. Dukuly and other Duke Global founders, misusing company documents to perpetuate the alleged fraud.
The police, through Deputy Commissioner for Press and Public Affairs Cecelia Clarke, have confirmed that an investigation is underway into the complaint filed by Mr. Yang’s lawyers. The investigation promises to be complex, involving allegations of fraud on multiple fronts and implicating high-ranking officials and foreign investors. The LNP is expected to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to determine the truth behind the conflicting accusations.
