Monrovia – Dorr Cooper, Inspector General at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has reportedly resigned from his post amid mounting pressure linked to a deepening academic fraud scandal at the University of Liberia. 

By Selma Lomax | selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

His resignation, reportedly submitted last week, was confirmed by a senior official at the ministry who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. “Yes, the report of the commerce inspector’s resignation is true. He resigned last week” the official said.

Cooper’s departure follows revelations from an internal investigation at the University of Liberia which concluded that he fraudulently obtained a degree from the institution despite never being formally admitted as a student. 

The investigation, initiated in September 2024 and conducted by a five-member committee chaired by Mr. Robert Weah, found that Cooper had no academic records, no enrollment history, and had never completed any coursework or fulfilled graduation requirements. The probe was commissioned by Dr. Agnes Reeves-Taylor, the university’s Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“This was not a clerical error. This was systematic abuse,” said a university official familiar with the investigation. The committee described the process through which Cooper secured academic clearance and a degree as “administratively impossible without collusion.”

The University of Liberia responded swiftly to the findings, suspending several staff members within the admissions and academic records departments. In a statement issued in October 2024, the university declared, “The University of Liberia will not tolerate academic fraud or administrative malpractice. Those who facilitated or enabled these irregularities will be held accountable. We are committed to restoring integrity in our academic processes.”

The fallout triggered national concern about the credibility of academic credentials in Liberia, particularly those issued by public institutions. Civil society organizations and education advocates called for an urgent audit of the university’s academic records. Among the most vocal critics was exiled Liberian activist Martin K. N. Kollie, who was among the first to expose the alleged fraud involving Cooper and other public officials. 

Kollie’s series of investigative reports detailed how high-ranking officials allegedly circumvented academic protocols in exchange for political favors or illicit benefits. The reports sparked widespread outrage and renewed scrutiny of academic qualifications held by several figures in government.

“This resignation is just the beginning,” said Martha Johnson, Executive Director of the Center for Academic Integrity in Liberia. “We want to see criminal investigations. The individuals who enabled this fraud must not go unpunished.”

Across the country, Liberians have been reacting strongly to Cooper’s resignation and the implications of the scandal. Cyrus Gorbor, a Monrovia resident, said, “Why in fact gave him options? He should have been straightly fired long since. That’s what a responsible and transparent government would do, but again this is JNB’s government for you, where a government official will steal or commit fraud, then the President pleads with him to resign. Sad!”

Aaron Cooper, another Liberian, welcomed the resignation, saying, “Accountability is a step in the right direction! It’s encouraging to see that public pressure and civic engagement are making a difference. Let’s continue to demand transparency, justice, and competent leadership for the good of Liberia. The fight for a better future continues!”

Social media has also been flooded with public reactions. Musa Yeah posted, “Alhamdulillah. Liberia is being repleted with lots of academic fraudsters. The only way to curb these criminal acts is by exposing them to the public, and this is exactly what you have been doing Mr. Kollie. We appreciate your unwavering efforts in making sure that Liberia and Liberians become great. Posterity will forever remember your indelible marks on Liberia through your advocacies.”

Nelson Henry, another commentator, added, “Veteran Martin K. N. Kollie, I am proud of your fight against academic frauds. I’m deeply concerned about how these things happen in a poor country like Liberia where the educational system is still striving to gain global recognition. People can just go and manipulate systems and accomplish academic journeys that require years of hard work and dedication. Many of your previous posts have highlighted academic frauds and fake degrees—people like former commerce director Mr. Dorr Cooper, Mayor Jefferson Koijee, Senator Bill Twehway, and others. It’s very sad to know that many are no longer willing to endure the challenges of academic journeys. Instead, everyone is trying all ways round to bag a degree, whether legally or illegally—just a degree. We must stop insulting those who are applying effort to acquire a degree. This is something our nation is normalizing. We must join you in this fight. People should stop cheating and bypassing academic curriculum. No to academic frauds!”

For now, Cooper stands as the most prominent figure implicated in what is shaping up to be one of the most extensive academic fraud scandals in the country’s history. Whether criminal charges will follow remains to be seen, but public pressure for accountability is unlikely to subside.

Monrovia – Despite President Joseph Boakai’s ongoing efforts to clean up his administration through swift disciplinary actions against officials accused of misconduct, Commerce Inspector General Dorr Cooper appears to be untouched, even in the face of mounting calls for accountability.

By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway, emmanuel.weedee-conway@frontpageafricaonline.com

Just days ago, President Boakai suspended the Managing Director of the National Insurance Company of Liberia (NICOL), Nortu Jappah, and the company’s Board Chairman, Joseph Sando Momolu, over alleged financial improprieties and oversight failures. The Executive Mansion cited the President’s unwavering commitment to transparency and the responsible management of public institutions.

These latest actions follow a string of suspensions and investigations targeting officials suspected of violating Boakai’s good governance agenda. However, Cooper, despite his link to a serious academic fraud scandal, remains in office.

The University of Liberia (UL) earlier this year declared Cooper persona non grata and revoked his degree after a months-long investigation. The probe began following the September 10, 2024 commencement at UL’s Alexander Romeo Horton College of Business and Public Administration.

According to Norris Tweah, UL’s Vice President for Relations, Cooper falsely presented himself as both a student and graduate of the university. Investigators found he allegedly paid a significant sum to staff to fraudulently obtain a degree and even impersonated a deceased student to secure academic credentials.

As a result of the investigation, UL dismissed eight employees who facilitated the fraud, calling the scheme a coordinated act involving personnel from several key university departments.

These findings have triggered public demands for President Boakai to take action, with many Liberians calling for Cooper to be at least suspended and handed over to the Liberia National Police for further investigation.

Given Boakai’s reputation as a champion of accountability, critics are questioning why his administration has remained quiet on Cooper’s case. The silence, they argue, undermines the President’s anti-corruption stance and fuels concerns of selective justice within the government.

Earlier, Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana claimed the Executive Mansion had not received an official communication from UL about the matter, despite the university’s public statements and actions. This explanation has failed to satisfy the public, especially with evidence of administrative action already taken by the university.

In a recent interview with FrontPage Africa, Unity Party official George Lobbo defended the President’s approach, saying Boakai will not be rushed into making decisions based on media or public pressure.

“The situation about Cooper is on the President’s desk, and I can assure you that the President will act,” Lobbo said, although he provided no timeline for when such action would be taken.

Lobbo emphasized that Boakai believes in due process and will not allow media narratives to dictate his leadership decisions.

Still, many Liberians believe the President must demonstrate consistency in upholding accountability by taking a clear stand on Cooper’s case. Until then, suspicions of favoritism and double standards continue to swirl, casting a shadow over Boakai’s transparency agenda.

NIMBA COUNTY – Commerce Inspector General, Dorr Cooper, has condemned the University of Liberia’s (UL) decision to revoke his degree, accusing the university’s administration of mishandling the situation. 

By Franklin Doloquee, franklin.doloquee@frontageafricaonline.com

Cooper, who claimed to have graduated from the state-run institution, expressed his disappointment after learning about the revocation of his degree through social media, rather than receiving direct communication from the university.

The controversy arose after the UL’s investigative committee found Cooper guilty of academic fraud, recommending his prosecution. The committee’s report alleged that Cooper paid $10,000 to university staff to impersonate a deceased student, allowing him to illegally obtain an undergraduate degree in Public Administration.

The investigation into Cooper’s academic credentials began when concerns were raised just before the September 10, 2024, commencement ceremony at the Alexander Romeo Horton College of Business and Public Administration. 

In an interview with FrontPage Africa, Cooper expressed frustration, stating that he was not given the opportunity to explain himself before the decision was made. “You cannot run an institution on social media. No one informed me about this action, and I only learned about it through social media,” he said.

Cooper, who has held several government positions, including Superintendent of Nimba County and the current Commerce Inspector General, said he is consulting with his lawyer to explore legal options and may file a lawsuit against the university.

Conflicting Information Surrounding Cooper’s Education

Cooper’s educational background has been a topic of controversy. Some residents of Nimba County claim that Cooper is not a high school graduate, while others suggest he completed his education. Despite the conflicting accounts, Cooper has held various government roles, including as City Mayor of Ganta and Development Superintendent.

The situation has sparked widespread frustration among Nimbaians, some of whom have accused the administration of President Joseph Boakai of failing to hold Cooper accountable for what they perceive as a scandal that undermines the country’s education system.