MONROVIA, LIBERIA – A group of University of Liberia (UL) students staged a protest on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the Ministry of Commerce, demanding the immediate resignation and dismissal of Commerce Inspector Dorr Cooper following allegations of academic fraud. The protest, led by the Student Unification Party (SUP), comes after the university officially revoked Cooper’s degree, accusing him of obtaining it through illegal means.
The protesters accused Cooper of deceiving the university by enrolling under false pretenses and unlawfully attempting to graduate. According to the UL administration, Cooper’s degree was revoked after an internal investigation concluded that he had falsified academic records and used the identity of a deceased student to obtain an undergraduate degree in Public Administration.
The university’s decision to revoke Cooper’s degree has sparked public outrage and raised concerns about the integrity of public officials. Many students believe Cooper’s actions reflect a broader issue of corruption within the government and are calling for accountability at all levels.
The UL investigative committee reported that Cooper allegedly paid $10,000 to university staff to alter academic records. These falsified records reportedly allowed him to graduate using the identity of a deceased student. The investigation began after questions were raised about his academic credentials ahead of the university’s September 10, 2024, commencement ceremony.
Despite the findings, Cooper has denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the university’s decision as politically motivated. In a recent media interview, he criticized the UL administration for what he described as a lack of due process. He claimed he was not formally notified about the investigation’s outcome and only learned of the degree revocation through social media.
“I was never given the opportunity to defend myself before this decision was made,” Cooper said. “You cannot run an institution on social media. I found out about the revocation the same way the public did, through social media.”
Student protesters argue that Cooper’s continued presence in government undermines public trust and the credibility of academic institutions. They insist that his resignation is necessary to restore confidence in the Commerce Ministry and to send a clear message that fraudulent behavior will not be tolerated.
“We cannot allow people who commit academic fraud to hold public office,” a SUP spokesperson said during the protest. “If this government is serious about transparency and accountability, Dorr Cooper must be dismissed immediately.”
The protest marks the second demonstration by UL students on the matter, reflecting mounting frustration with what they perceive as a lack of action from President Joseph Boakai’s administration. Students carried placards demanding justice and chanting slogans condemning academic dishonesty and government corruption.
Political analysts believe the controversy surrounding Cooper could become a significant test for the Boakai administration’s commitment to tackling corruption. The administration has publicly pledged to strengthen the rule of law and ensure accountability, but critics argue that little has been done to address misconduct among senior officials.
The UL administration has stood by its decision, asserting that the evidence against Cooper is clear and the revocation process followed the institution’s regulations. University officials have also hinted that further legal action could be pursued against staff members involved in facilitating the alleged fraud.
