Breaking: Wilmot Paye Claims Refusal to Shield Dorr Cooper Scandal Contributed to His Dismissal

Monrovia, Liberia: Former Mines and Energy Minister Wilmot Paye has alleged that his removal from government was partly linked to his refusal to assist in covering up the academic fraud scandal involving former Commerce Inspector General D. Dorr Cooper.

Speaking publicly, Paye claimed that when allegations surrounding Cooper’s academic credentials surfaced, he received a call from Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung. According to Paye, he was allegedly asked to have his wife, a lecturer at the University of Liberia, help suppress information related to the case in order to protect Cooper.

Paye said he rejected the request and instead advised that Cooper resign from his position as Inspector General at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He further claimed that his refusal to involve his wife in any effort to shield the scandal became one of the factors that eventually led to his replacement as Minister of Mines and Energy.

The Vice President has not publicly responded to Paye’s allegations, and there has been no official statement from the Executive Mansion regarding the claims as of press time.

Background on Dorr Cooper

Dorr Cooper served as Inspector General at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry before becoming the center of a major academic fraud controversy. Investigations conducted by the University of Liberia concluded that Cooper fraudulently obtained a degree in Public Administration despite allegedly never being properly enrolled as a student. The university’s investigative committee recommended his prosecution and reported that several university employees were involved in facilitating the scheme.  

University investigators alleged that Cooper obtained academic credentials through manipulated records and the unauthorized use of another student’s information. The findings led to the revocation of his degree, disciplinary action against several university staff members, and widespread public calls for accountability.  

Amid growing public pressure, Cooper resigned from his post as Commerce Inspector General in May 2025. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai later accepted the resignation.  

Paye’s latest allegations have now added a new political dimension to a scandal that already raised serious concerns about academic integrity, public trust, and accountability within government institutions. No independent evidence has yet been presented publicly to support Paye’s claims.