After four months of intense internal investigation, the University of Liberia has begun cleaning house. What was once whispered in corners as rumor has now become official: a web of alleged academic fraud has been exposed, and the fallout is heavy.
At the center of the storm lies the now-infamous “Dorr Cooper Incident”, a scandal that shook public trust after it was revealed that former Bong County Superintendent Dorr Cooper allegedly graduated from the University without completing the necessary academic requirements. The situation sparked public outcry and forced the University to dig deep into its records, processes, and personnel.
Now, the results are in, and heads have rolled.
The University on Tuesday confirmed the dismissal of eight staff members directly linked to the scandal and broader issues of academic misconduct. Those fired include:
Mr. Arthur B. Sharpe, Chairman of the Department of Public Administration Mr. Thurston Lewis, Instructor and Clearing Officer, Department of Public Administration Mr. Goffa K. Suah, Coordinator & Teaching Assistant, Dean’s Representative on the Clearing Team, Public Administration Department Mr. W. Remsee Deranamie, Deputy Registrar, Office of Enrollment Services (OES) Mr. Shadrach K. H. Pah, Assistant Dean of Records & Registration, OES Mr. Foday Jaleiba, Office Assistant to the Dean of Records, OES Mr. Jonathan Kangar, Support Specialist, Office of Information Technology (OIT)
The University has also suspended Mr. Aaron B. Sengbe II, Associate Vice President and Registrar, pending further action.
However, not everyone implicated was found culpable. The institution announced the reinstatement of Ms. Mercy Koquoi, a data entry clerk assigned to the Business College, and Mr. Augustine Z. Garpi, OES Coordinator for the Business College, after they were cleared of wrongdoing.
“The decision comes after a four-month investigation of facts related to several instances of alleged academic fraud and misconduct at the University of Liberia, including the case that has been referred to as the Dorr Cooper Incident, as well as other cases,” the University stated in an official release.
The public has long accused Liberian institutions of tolerating mediocrity and backdoor dealings, especially when it comes to academics. This decisive action by the University of Liberia, though painful, may signal a shift toward restoring integrity in one of the country’s most historic educational institutions.
As the dust settles, many are asking: How deep does the rot go? And will this just be the tip of a much larger iceberg? For now, the message from the Capitol Hill campus is clear, there’s no more room for fraud in the house of learning.
