Updated

The son of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has resigned as head of the state oil company, an appointment that had prompted allegations of nepotism from the president's critics.

A statement from the Executive Mansion Tuesday said Sirleaf has accepted the resignation of her son, Robert Sirleaf, from the positions as chair of the National Oil Company of Liberia and as senior presidential adviser.

His resignation comes just days after Liberia's lawmakers suspended debate on a new oil law until after they return from break in January. Liberian non-governmental organizations had urged lawmakers not to pass the bill, decrying the lack of public consultation.

Two of Sirleaf's other sons have also worked in top government posts — one at the Central Bank and another at the National Security Agency.