MONROVIA – Public pressure is intensifying for the prosecution of former Ganta City Mayor and Ministry of Commerce Inspector General, Dorr Cooper, following his resignation over a fraudulent academic scandal that rocked the University of Liberia.
Anderson D. Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), welcomed the news of Cooper’s resignation in a Facebook post on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. “Although very belated, news about Mr. Dorr Cooper’s resignation due to his fraudulent academic activities at the University of Liberia is welcoming,” Miamen wrote. “He needs to be prosecuted, beyond the resignation.”
Miamen had previously called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to dismiss Cooper, asserting that his continued tenure in public service undermined the administration’s credibility in the fight against corruption. “You are sending the wrong message to development partners and citizens. If your fight against corruption is to be taken seriously, it must be impartial and consistent,” he cautioned.
Echoing the same sentiment, prominent activist Martin K. N. Kollie confirmed the resignation on his Facebook page, stating, “100% Confirmed: Finally, Dorr Cooper has resigned after he was given two options: Resign or Be Fired. A victory for the people. Resignation is not enough. Prosecute him.” Kollie added that Cooper’s departure creates space for a more qualified and ethically sound individual, emphasizing, “We will weed them out.”
The resignation comes in the wake of a damning internal investigation by the University of Liberia, which revealed a web of academic fraud, culminating in what has now become known as the “Dorr Cooper fake graduation scandal.” The scandal exposed how degrees were conferred upon individuals, including Cooper, who had not met the necessary academic requirements.
On April 30, 2025, the University issued a statement confirming the dismissal of seven staff members and the suspension of one, following a four-month investigation into widespread academic misconduct. Among those dismissed were senior academic and administrative personnel, including the Chairman of the Public Administration Department, clearing officers, and key staff from the Office of Enrollment Services and Information Technology.
The University’s statement noted that the disciplinary actions stemmed from multiple incidents of misconduct, with the Cooper case serving as the catalyst for broader scrutiny into systemic irregularities within the institution.
Despite the public outcry, the Government of Liberia has yet to release an official statement on Cooper’s resignation or announce any further action. Likewise, Cooper has remained silent, offering no public comment or clarification.
Cooper’s departure from government leaves lingering questions about accountability and whether high-profile figures implicated in academic and administrative misconduct will face legal consequences. Transparency advocates argue that resignation alone does not constitute justice and warn that failure to prosecute will cast doubt on the Boakai administration’s resolve to uphold the rule of law.
As civil society groups and citizens press for stronger measures, all eyes are now on the government’s next move, one that may determine the seriousness of its stated commitment to fighting corruption and restoring integrity in public service.
