MONROVIA – On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the Monrovia City Court will hold a pivotal hearing at 2 p.m. in the case of Ombudsman vs. WAEC, addressing the alleged leak of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) mathematics exam. Dale Garmondeh Gbotoe, head of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Liberia, has been summoned to court in response to a writ filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, following the release of compromised exam materials during the WASSCE.
This case stems from a subpoena duces tecum issued by the Monrovia City Court on August 29, 2024, compelling Mr. Gbotoe to provide detailed documents regarding the security measures in place during the preparation, storage, and administration of the exam. The subpoena also requires Mr. Gbotoe to reveal the identities of staff members and individuals of interest involved in the leak, along with any protocols followed to safeguard the exams.
The Office of the Ombudsman, which initiated the complaint, has been investigating the integrity breach after WAEC Liberia was accused of withholding vital information needed for the probe. Despite internal investigations conducted by WAEC Liberia that reportedly implicated several staff members, the Ombudsman contends that full cooperation has not been forthcoming. In light of this, the court’s intervention was sought to ensure transparency and accountability.
The Ombudsman expressed particular concern over the inconsistent responses issued by WAEC Liberia following the leak. Initially, the council denied any compromise of the exam but later postponed the mathematics test, further raising suspicions. The Ombudsman’s office has since called for the release of all relevant documents and demanded that Mr. Gbotoe also submit details on the costs incurred from rescheduling the exam.
Citing Sections 12.3(c) of the Code of Conduct 2014 (as amended in 2022) and 14.2 of the Revised Convention Establishing WAEC (2003), the Ombudsman sought the court’s assistance in compelling WAEC Liberia’s compliance. In addition to the submission of documents, the Ombudsman has requested the imposition of a US$200 fine on Mr. Gbotoe for non-compliance, with the fine payable to the Government of Liberia’s Central Revenue Account at the Central Bank of Liberia.
The refusal by Mr. Gbotoe to comply with the Ombudsman’s request, citing Section 16.5 of the Revised WAEC Convention, has only deepened the standoff. This section is believed to protect WAEC’s internal processes, but the Ombudsman maintains that transparency is essential to safeguard the integrity of the WASSCE in Liberia. The ongoing dispute has placed WAEC Liberia under intense scrutiny, with the credibility of the national examination system hanging in the balance.
The September 17 hearing is expected to be a crucial moment in determining the next steps for both WAEC Liberia and the broader investigation into the exam leak, as students, educators, and stakeholders await the outcome. The integrity of the 2024 WASSCE and future examinations could be at risk, with potential ramifications for Liberia’s education system.
