MONROVIA – Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana has stated that President Joseph Boakai has not received any official communication from the University of Liberia (UL) regarding the revocation of Commerce Ministry Inspector General Dorr Cooper’s degree. Her statement comes amid mounting calls for Cooper’s resignation following revelations that he fraudulently obtained his undergraduate degree in Public Administration.
The controversy erupted after activist Martin Kollie raised concerns about Cooper’s academic credentials. In response, the University of Liberia launched an investigation, which concluded that Cooper paid $10,000 to university staff to falsify records, allowing him to graduate using the identity of a deceased student. The findings were released in October 2024, yet Cooper has remained in office despite widespread public outcry.
Pressure has been intensifying for Cooper’s removal, with students and civil society groups demanding action. On Monday, March 10, 2025, members of the University of Liberia’s Student Unification Party (SUP) staged a protest at the Ministry of Commerce, calling for his immediate resignation and dismissal. Protesters accused Cooper of deceiving the university and bringing disgrace to the academic institution.
However, addressing concerns at the Executive Mansion on Friday, March 14, 2025, Press Secretary Fofana revealed that President Boakai had not been briefed on the matter by the University of Liberia. She noted, “The President is a President who will not listen to speculation. He will not just act because of ‘hear say.’ There was a procedure and process that went through. The university did set up a team and they investigated.”
Fofana added that once the university submits its report to the President, he will instruct the Civil Service Agency (CSA) on the necessary course of action. She further stated that the university must provide an update before the President can make any decisions.
The university officially revoked Cooper’s degree after its internal committee determined he had engaged in academic fraud. According to UL authorities, his records were falsified to secure his graduation in Public Administration. The decision to revoke his degree was taken months ago, but the government has yet to act on the matter.
Civil society organizations have also joined the call for Cooper’s removal. Anderson Miamen, a well-known advocate for transparency, criticized the Boakai administration for failing to address the scandal. In a social media post, he reminded the President that the university’s investigation had already found Cooper culpable. “Mr. President, this is unbecoming of a public official. The University of Liberia has already found Dorr Cooper guilty of academic fraud, yet he remains in office. This sends a troubling message about the government’s stance on corruption,” Miamen wrote.
Despite the findings, Cooper has denied any wrongdoing and claims he was never given a chance to defend himself. He criticized the process as politically motivated and unfair, stating that he learned about the revocation of his degree through social media rather than through formal communication. “I was never given the opportunity to defend myself before this decision was made,” Cooper said in a media interview. “You cannot run an institution on social media. I found out about the revocation the same way the public did, through social media.”
Cooper, who previously served as Superintendent of Nimba County and Mayor of Ganta, has indicated that he is consulting legal counsel to challenge the university’s decision. He suggested that the revocation was part of a political scheme to tarnish his reputation.
Meanwhile, the President’s silence on the matter has fueled criticism that his government is not taking a firm stance against corruption and ethical misconduct. Many are questioning whether the administration will act decisively or allow Cooper to continue serving despite the scandal.
