MONROVIA – The United Methodist University Alumni Association has expressed outrage over a report by the Verity Newspaper and accompanying leaked audio posted on Facebook, allegedly capturing Mr. Cyrus Johnson, a part-time lecturer at the University of Liberia and Coordinator of Peace Studies at the United Methodist University (UMU), soliciting a bribe in exchange for grades.
In a press release issued Monday, September 15, 2025, signed by Emmett P. Coker, Secretary General, and approved by Dioh Cox Podee, President of the Alumni Association, the group described the allegations as a fundamental violation of trust and a betrayal of academic principles.
“This grave allegation against Mr. Johnson, a Part-time Lecturer and Coordinator of Peace Studies within the College of Liberal Arts, represents a fundamental betrayal of the sacred trust placed in him and a violent assault on the core values of academic integrity and ethics that he was sworn to uphold,” the release stated.
The Alumni Association did not mince words in condemning the alleged act, calling it more than a simple offense. “This is not a minor infraction; it is a barbaric act that corrupts the very purpose of education. To exploit a student’s vulnerability for personal gain is the ultimate contradiction for someone tasked with coordinating Peace Studies,” the statement emphasized.
In response, the Alumni Association issued two key demands to the UMU administration. First, they called for the immediate and public suspension of Mr. Johnson from all duties, including teaching and his role as Coordinator of Peace Studies, until the matter is fully investigated. Second, they demanded a “swift, credible, and impartial investigation into this allegation,” with its findings made public to ensure accountability and restore confidence in the university’s integrity.
The Alumni Association stressed that the university’s credibility is on the line and urged swift action. “We expect the University to act now with the courage and moral clarity that this moment demands. Uphold our motto. Be a ‘Light to the World’ by casting out the darkness of corruption within our own walls,” the release concluded.
The university administration has not yet issued a formal response to the allegations.
