MONROVIA – The University of Liberia has dismissed seven staff members and suspended another following an internal investigation into the now-infamous “Dorr Cooper fake graduation” scandal, which exposed deep-rooted academic fraud within the institution.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the dismissals are the result of a four-month probe into multiple cases of academic misconduct, including the awarding of degrees to individuals who had not fulfilled graduation requirements. The case of former Ganta City Mayor Dorr Cooper, who was allegedly listed among graduates without properly earning a degree, sparked public outrage and prompted the investigation.
The dismissed staff include Mr. Arthur B. Sharpe, Chairman of the Public Administration Department; Mr. Thurston Lewis, Instructor and Clearing Officer; Mr. Goffa K. Suah, Coordinator and Teaching Assistant who also served as the Dean’s Representative on the Clearing Team; and Mr. W. Remsee Deranamie, Deputy Registrar at the Office of Enrollment Services (OES).
Others relieved of their duties are Mr. Shadrach K. H. Pah, Assistant Dean of Records and Registration, OES; Mr. Foday Jaleiba, Office Assistant to the Dean of Records, OES; and Mr. Jonathan Kangar, Support Specialist in the Office of Information Technology (OIT).
In addition to the dismissals, the University suspended Mr. Aaron B. Sengbe II, Associate Vice President and Registrar, Office of Enrollment Services, pending further review of his role in the matter.
At the same time, the University has reinstated Ms. Mercy Koquoi, a Data Entry Clerk in the Business College, and Mr. Augustine Z. Garpi, OES Coordinator of the same college, after determining they were not culpable.
“This 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’s statement read.
