Published: September 22, 2025
MONROVIA — Lofa County Sen. Momo Tarnuekollie Cyrus has rejected a resolution issued by the Board of Trustees of Lofa County University, accusing the administration of watering down key decisions reached at a recent emergency meeting on corruption charges facing several top officials.
The dispute stems from a Sept. 3 board session in Voinjama, where trustees reportedly agreed that officials indicted by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) should step aside until their trial before the 10th Judicial Circuit Court concludes. But the resolution later released by the university made no mention of that decision, instead stressing the presumption of innocence and due process.
Cyrus blasted the omission, saying it undermines both accountability and public trust in higher education.
“While I firmly uphold the principle that every accused person is innocent until proven guilty, it is equally imperative to adhere to sound administrative standards,” Cyrus said. “Officials facing serious allegations should step aside temporarily to allow for an independent and transparent process. This is critical for preserving public confidence in LCU and the credibility of our higher education institutions.”
Demand for Correction
Cyrus called on the university to immediately amend the resolution to reflect what he said was the Board’s true decision. He warned that allowing indicted officials to remain on duty while on trial undermines not only the university’s credibility but also Liberia’s fight against corruption.
“Lofa County University must remain above reproach if it is to serve as a beacon of hope and learning,” he added.
Backdrop of the Indictments
Earlier this year, the LACC indicted several top LCU officials — including administrators accused of diverting funds earmarked for operational support, staff development and infrastructure projects. The indictments, which the officials deny, were filed before the 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Voinjama.
The scandal has fueled protests among students and civil society groups, who have demanded sweeping reforms to restore credibility to the institution.
Growing Scrutiny
The dispute has now placed LCU under heightened public scrutiny as citizens and stakeholders wait to see if the administration will amend its resolution and recuse the indicted officials in line with the Board’s reported agreement.
Cyrus, who reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability, urged all parties to protect the university’s integrity during what he described as a critical test for higher education governance in Liberia.
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