Monrovia — An official of the ruling Unity Party, George Lobbo, says President Joseph Boakai will not be rushed into taking action on the growing academic fraud scandal involving Commerce Inspector General Dorr Cooper, despite mounting public and media pressure.
By Selma Lomax/ [email protected]
Lobbo told FrontPageAfrica on Friday that although the President remains committed to principles of transparency and accountability, he will address the matter at a time of his choosing.
“The situation about Cooper is on the President’s desk, and I can assure you that the President will act,” Lobbo said. However, he offered no clear timeline when asked how soon a decision could be expected.
The comments come as pressure mounts on the Boakai administration to respond to findings from a University of Liberia investigation that revealed Cooper never attended the institution.
According to the report, Cooper allegedly paid $10,000 to obtain fraudulent credentials and even impersonated a deceased student. In response, the university banned Cooper from campus, dismissed eight staff, suspended another, and launched major anti-fraud reforms.
While the university acted swiftly, President Boakai has remained publicly silent on the matter, prompting criticism from student groups, civil society organizations, and integrity advocates.
Lobbo defended the President’s silence, arguing that governance should not be driven by media narratives or public outrage. “President Boakai won’t be swayed by media pressure. He believes in due process,” Lobbo said.
Critics, however, argue that the President’s inaction contradicts his public pledge to uphold good governance and accountability. The administration Friday suspended two senior officials at the National Insurance Company of Liberia (NICOL) over allegations of financial impropriety — a move seen as inconsistent with its handling of the Cooper case.
