By: Frank P. Martin
MONROVIA: The University of Liberia has published a comprehensive report, detailing a significant academic fraud incident within the A. Romeo Horton College of Business and Public Administration, before its 104th Commencement Convocation in September 2024.
The investigation uncovered that the name, D. Dorr Cooper, fraudulently appeared on the UL’s 104th graduation list.
D. Dorr Cooper is currently serving as Commerce and Trade Inspector General of Liberia.
According to UL investigation, Cooper’s name surfaced on the Public Administration Department’s final roster, which prompted an investigation following public outcries when he was seen in graduation gown at the UL 104th Commencement Convocation held in September 2024.
Dr. Agnes Reeves-Taylor, the University of Liberia ’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, was notified of the fraud on September 10, 2024, leading to the investigation which was led by Dr. Edwin B.R. Gbargaye, Acting Dean of the College.
The UL Investigative Committee’s findings revealed how Cooper infiltrated the UL system and illegally received graduation clearance.
The investigation also established that in 2015, a university employee altered the records of a legitimate student, Dahngbaye M. Wogbeh, by replacing his name with that of D. Dorr Cooper.
The probe further established that Cooper illegally enrolled at senior-level but he miserably flunked in a senior level course.
According to the UL probe, in May 2024, another fraudulent modification occurred when D. Dorr Cooper’s name was linked to the academic records of a 2019 graduate, Niome Nowah Tyler, providing him with fraudulent academic credentials.
Jonathan Kangar, a support staff member, was found responsible for altering student’s records, the probe result pointed out.
According to the investigation report, Arthur B. Sharpe, Chairman of the Public Administration Department, introduced Cooper to the former Dean of the A. Romeo Horton College of Business and Public Administration of UL, Lester Z. Tenny, for graduation clearance in 2023. Mercy W. Koquoi, a data entry clerk, “mistakenly” facilitated the name changes in the system.
According to the University authority, key individuals, including Jonathan Kangar, Arthur B. Sharpe, and Thurston Lewis, the clearing officer for Public Administration, have been recommended for dismissal.
Mercy W. Koquoi, Lawrence Seitua, and Goffa K. Suah have also been recommended for three-month suspension each without pay.
The report also called for the Ministry of Justice to prosecute D. Dorr Cooper for academic fraud.
At the same time, the University of Liberia has been advised to overhaul its clearance process, ensuring the use of detailed ledgers over transcripts to improve transparency and safeguard against future fraud.
This case, according to some commentators exposes critical weaknesses in the university’s administrative system and serves as a wake-up call to academic institutions throughout Liberia. One commentator described the incident as a systemic syndicate and fraud.