The Boakai administration's conspicuous silence on the Dorr Cooper academic fraud case is rapidly eroding its anti-corruption credibility. Months after the University of Liberia (UL) revoked Cooper's fraudulently obtained degree, the Commerce Inspector General remains in his post, exposing a glaring disconnect between the government's rhetoric and action on graft.
The scandal, which broke out in October 2024, revealed a sophisticated scheme involving Cooper and complicit UL staff. An internal investigation found that Cooper paid $10,000 to assume the identity of a deceased student, manipulating records to claim a Public Administration degree15. Despite UL's decision to revoke the degree on March 3, 2025, and calls for prosecution, Cooper has faced no official sanction from the government.
This case has become a litmus test for Boakai's anti-corruption resolve. The administration's reluctance to act against Cooper, a political appointee, suggests an unwillingness to dismantle entrenched patronage networks. This hesitation is particularly damning given the extensive evidence and UL's clear recommendations for legal action12.
The 'Dorr affair' also exposes deeper institutional rot within Liberia's education system and government bodies. The involvement of multiple UL staff in facilitating the fraud points to systemic integrity issues4. The government's inaction risks normalizing such misconduct across institutions.
Moreover, the silence from anti-corruption bodies like the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) raises questions about their independence and effectiveness. The lack of visible action in such a high-profile case suggests either political interference or a concerning lack of initiative7.
As pressure mounts from civil society for Cooper's dismissal9, Boakai faces a critical juncture. His handling of this case will likely shape public perception of his administration's anti-corruption commitment. Continued inaction risks being interpreted as tacit approval of the very practices Boakai pledged to eradicate.
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References
https://focusonlib.com/opinions/f/commerce-inspector-general-busted-in-ul-fake-degree-scandalLIBERIA: Boakai's Inaction on Dorr Cooper Scandal Undermines Anti-CorruptionLIBERIA: Boakai's Inaction on Dorr Cooper Scandal Undermines Anti-Corruption
https://www.lacc.gov.lr/sites/default/files/documents/LACC-2024-3-QUARTERLY%20REPORT_0.pdf
https://smartnewsliberia.com/boakai-faces-pressure-to-dismiss-dorr-cooper-after-university-of-liberia-revokes-his-degree/LIBERIA: Boakai's Inaction on Dorr Cooper Scandal Undermines Anti-Corruption
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