Coopers’s resignation, reportedly submitted last week, was confirmed by a senior official at the ministry who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
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 | [email protected]
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.
