Monrovia – A FrontPage Africa ongoing investigation has uncovered a growing internal dispute at the National Insurance Corporation of Liberia (NICOL), where Acting Managing Director Abdullah S. Swaray is accused of approving the hiring of four individuals in defiance of a moratorium imposed by the Board of Directors.
In a strongly worded warning letter dated November 22, 2025, the Board cited Swaray for the “unauthorized approval of the employment of four (4) staff” despite a resolution issued on October 11, 2025, placing a complete moratorium on all new employment, contracting, and hiring in any manner until otherwise directed.
According to the Board, its directive was “clear, unambiguous, and communicated for strict compliance by all departments, including executive management.” However, Board members say they were informed that the Acting Managing Director proceeded with the onboarding of the four individuals without seeking prior approval or presenting the matter for Board consideration.
The board in the letter, seen by FrontPage Africa, described Swaray’s reported actions as “a direct violation of a binding Board resolution,” amounting to an “overreach of executive authority” and a breach of governance procedures established to ensure financial discipline and administrative order.
“The Board of Directors of the National Insurance Corporation of Liberia issues this
FORMAL WARNING LETTER regarding your unauthorized approval of the employment of four (4) staff despite the existing moratorium on recruitment, hiring, contracting and employment. The Board’s resolution of October 11, 2025 placed a complete moratorium on all new employment in any manner until otherwise directed. This directive was clear unambiguous, and communicated for strict compliance by all departments, including executive management,” the board said.
The Board warned that the unauthorized hires exposed NICOL to unsanctioned financial obligations and undermined the institution’s governance system. “Such actions… compromise the corporate governance framework under which the institution operates,” the letter noted.
The communication was signed by Interim Board Chairman Hon. Ansumanah S. Jallah and Board Members Samuel O. Mintah, Madam Mamassa Kamara, James Karpo Momo, and Philajua Bolma.
HR Manager Also Warned
In a separate letter issued the same day, the Board warned NICOL’s Human Resources Manager, Vassah A. Konneh, accusing him of facilitating the placement of the four employees on the corporation’s payroll despite the moratorium.
The Board said Konneh’s actions represented “a significant breach of the Board’s directives” and an overextension of his administrative authority. It added that his conduct “reflects poorly on the integrity of the HR function” and endangers proper governance at the state-owned insurer.
An internal investigation is now underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged violations and what further administrative measures may be taken.
Questions Over Authenticity of Letters
FPA has not independently verified the authenticity of the warning letters. When contacted, the NICOL Board members directed all inquiries to the administration. Both Swaray and Konneh did not respond to FPA’s inquiry seeking confirmation of whether the letters originated from the Board.
Swaray Denies Payroll Padding, Internal Strife
These latest accusations come on the heels of a communication—purportedly authored by an employee identified as Rick Mark James—addressed to President Joseph Boakai, alleging that Swaray orchestrated internal strife and manipulated NICOL’s employment process to undermine suspended Managing Director Nortu Jappah.
Swaray, however, has dismissed the claims, describing the accusations as “blackmail” intended to damage the corporation’s leadership. He said the letter circulating online is a “scam” and insisted that the alleged author is not an employee of NICOL.
He clarified that the hiring of the four individuals was done strictly through Civil Service Agency (CSA) procedures to fill vacancies created by deaths and retirements.
“At the level of the Civil Service, four vacancies were created due to deaths or retirements. The Civil Service Agency notified us, and we carried out the recruitment process in line with established procedures,” Swaray told FPA, adding that the CSA “completed the process,” which culminated on November 9, 2025.
Swaray said the Board later imposed a moratorium on October 10, 2025 to help control overhead costs. “We immediately communicated with the Board, and just as the moratorium was about to be lifted, this issue surfaced,” he said, suggesting that the renewed accusations were intended to disrupt progress.
“This is simply blackmail… we have been on this for a long time, and they just decided to blackmail us.”
Swaray added that as a young professional in senior leadership, he has become the target of internal smear campaigns.
CSA Expected to Investigate
Sources within the administration say the Civil Service Agency is expected to launch a formal investigation following directives from the Office of the President. The probe will focus on possible violations of hiring laws, payroll integrity standards, and NICOL’s internal control systems.
