After a year of public criticism surrounding his controversial enrollment and subsequent disqualification from the University of Liberia, former Inspector General at the Ministry of Commerce, David Dorr Cooper, has broken his silence, revealing shocking details about what he claims led to the incident. Speaking on Monday, October 13, 2025, during the OK Morning Rush on OK FM in Monrovia, the former official disclosed that his disqualification for graduation stemmed from the fact that he never received an official admission letter from the University before beginning his studies—a procedural lapse that later caused significant trouble for him.
He further claimed that a staff member of the University allegedly “held” him in the institution, allowing him to enroll without properly completing the admission process. “I didn’t receive an admission letter from the University of Liberia before entering the school. Someone from within the University helped me get in. I am sure that is where the problem came from,” he explained.
During the conversation, he described the process of transferring from a community college to the University of Liberia, including the involvement of the university president in facilitating the transfer. The former Nimba County Superintendent talked about the challenges faced during this transition, such as meeting specific requirements and receiving support from the university administration.
Cooper emphasized that he received assistance from university staff and professors throughout the enrollment process and expressed his excitement about the university’s determination to support his transition. “People are saying I did not attend UL, and others claim I used a dead person’s ID number. How can that be? I entered the university with my own ID number. I still have my grade sheets, I know some of my classmates, and I am part of our graduating class chat room. All those accusations are false,” he stated.
Cooper’s revelation comes after months of public debate and social media criticism that questioned his academic integrity and the credibility of his enrollment at the state-run university. However, he highlighted the importance of encouraging local government officials to pursue higher education. “If I were not a student of the University of Liberia, how did I apply for graduation? University is not like high school; you have to apply and present documents before you can graduate,” he added.
It is worth noting that the University of Liberia dismissed eight employees who helped Commerce Inspector Dorr Cooper obtain a degree through fraudulent means. The UL administration made this decision on Tuesday, April 29, following a final report from its Special Committee to Investigate Academic Fraud. One employee was also suspended as a result of the findings.
The committee found Cooper complicit in coordinated acts of academic fraud involving multiple university staff and departments. The investigation lasted four months, uncovering a network of academic misconduct within the institution’s administrative structure. This probe prominently featured what is now known as the “Dorr Cooper Incident.”
