MONROVIA – The former Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, has made allegations linking his dismissal from government to his refusal to participate in what he described as an effort to suppress information surrounding an academic fraud scandal involving former Commerce Inspector General Dorr Cooper at the University of Liberia.
By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
Speaking Tuesday during an appearance on Spoon Talk, Paye alleged that he came under political pressure after rejecting a request purportedly made by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung to use Paye’s wife, a lecturer at the University of Liberia, to help prevent details of Cooper’s academic misconduct from becoming public.
According to Paye, the controversy emerged at a time when questions were raised regarding Cooper’s academic standing and the authenticity of records associated with his studies at the University of Liberia. He said that instead of supporting any effort to shield the matter from public scrutiny, he advised that appropriate action be taken and that Cooper step aside from public service if the allegations proved credible.
Paye said he declined to involve his wife in any matter that would compromise professional ethics or undermine the integrity of the university’s academic processes. He maintained that his position was based on principle and his longstanding belief that public officials must be held accountable regardless of their political connections or influence.
According to the former minister, his decision not to cooperate with the alleged request created tension within influential circles of government and eventually contributed to circumstances that culminated in his removal from office.
“I was not prepared to ask my wife or any educator to compromise their professional responsibilities for the sake of protecting a public official from legitimate scrutiny,” Paye said. “My position was simple: if there were concerns about academic misconduct, those concerns should be addressed transparently and honestly.”
Paye further asserted that public institutions lose credibility when individuals attempt to manipulate systems designed to ensure accountability and fairness. He argued that educational institutions in particular must remain insulated from political pressure if they are to maintain public trust and uphold academic standards.
“The University of Liberia belongs to the Liberian people and not to politicians seeking favors,” Paye stated. “When we begin using influence to suppress facts or alter outcomes, we weaken the very institutions we claim to be building.”
He continued by alleging that some officials were more concerned about the political consequences of the scandal than about preserving the integrity of the university. According to him, efforts to protect individuals accused of wrongdoing send the wrong message to students and young professionals striving to succeed through honest means.
“No government can credibly fight corruption while simultaneously attempting to shield people from accountability,” Paye added. “The public deserves transparency, and public servants must understand that no office places them above scrutiny.”
The former minister also claimed that his recommendation to the Vice President was straightforward and intended to protect both the government and the university from further embarrassment. He said he believed that allowing the matter to be addressed openly would have minimized controversy and demonstrated a commitment to accountability.
Paye maintained that although he understood the political sensitivities surrounding the issue, he was unwilling to sacrifice personal principles or professional ethics for political convenience. He said his conscience would not permit him to participate in any effort aimed at obstructing the truth.
He further argued that Liberia’s progress depends on leaders who are willing to defend institutional integrity even when doing so may carry personal or political consequences. According to him, public officials should be judged by the standards they expect ordinary citizens to follow.
The controversy involving Dorr Cooper attracted significant public attention after allegations surfaced regarding irregularities connected to his academic credentials at the University of Liberia. The matter reportedly prompted an internal review and generated widespread debate about academic integrity, accountability, and the responsibilities of public officials who hold positions of trust.
The allegations centered on claims that Cooper improperly benefited from academic procedures and records that raised questions about compliance with university regulations. The controversy intensified as students, faculty members, and members of the public demanded transparency regarding the circumstances surrounding his academic status and the legitimacy of qualifications linked to his educational record.
The situation ultimately led to Cooper’s dismissal from government service after the allegations generated sustained public scrutiny and concerns about ethical conduct. The case became one of the most widely discussed academic integrity controversies involving a senior public official, prompting calls for stronger oversight mechanisms within both educational institutions and government agencies.
As of press time, neither Vice President Koung nor Dorr Cooper had responded to the allegations made by the former minister. Repeated attempts by FrontPage Africa to obtain comments from the Office of the Vice President did not materialize.
