WAEC examiner sentenced to one year in prison for WASSCE leak scandal

Published: October 16, 2025

MONROVIA — The Monrovia Magisterial Court has sentenced Augustine S. Saysay, a former examinations officer of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), to one year in prison for his role in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) mathematics paper leak.

In a landmark ruling delivered by Associate Magistrate Lasane Kamara at the Temple of Justice, Saysay was found guilty of criminal conspiracy, misapplication of entrusted property, theft of property, and aiding the consummation of a crime.

The court also imposed a fine of US$1,000, describing Saysay’s actions as a “grave breach of public trust” that undermined the credibility of Liberia’s national examination system.

Details of the Case

The case originated from the leak of the 2024 WASSCE Mathematics examination, which was scheduled to be administered in Tappita, Nimba County, on May 30, 2024.

WAEC officials became suspicious after discovering that a security bag containing test materials entrusted to Saysay had been unsealed, and two bundles of exam papers were missing.

A joint investigation by WAEC and the Liberia National Police (LNP) traced the breach to Saysay and three co-defendants, Amos Bowah, Hamid Alhanssan Bangura, and Lewis A. A. Leeco, through mobile money transfers and text message exchanges that suggested the sale and distribution of the stolen exam papers.

Although the co-defendants are awaiting trial, Saysay’s case was severed for individual prosecution at his own request.

Prosecution’s Evidence

Three prosecution witnesses testified, including Mrs. Wynna George-Soper, Acting Head of WAEC’s Test Division, who confirmed that Saysay had violated multiple security protocols and confessed to his role before police involvement.

LNP Investigator Dennis N. Weah corroborated the findings, presenting evidence of mobile money transfers totaling LRD 100,000 between Saysay and his alleged accomplices.

Defense Arguments Rejected

On the witness stand, Saysay denied all charges, citing his 18-year unblemished service record at WAEC and claiming that his confession was coerced by police.

However, Magistrate Kamara ruled that the defense failed to provide any medical report or credible evidence of coercion. A defense witness — Saysay’s brother — admitted that he had not personally witnessed any police misconduct.

Court’s Ruling

In his verdict, Magistrate Kamara said the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, adding that Saysay’s actions constituted “a betrayal of public trust.”

“Trust was broken in Tappita, and the man appointed to safeguard the nation’s exams chose personal gain over duty,” Kamara said. “This is a betrayal of the nation’s educational system and the future of our children.”

The court ruled that Saysay’s conduct met the elements of Theft of Property (Section 15.51), Misapplication of Entrusted Property (15.56), Criminal Conspiracy (10.4), and Aiding Consummation of a Crime (12.5), under Liberia’s New Penal Code.

He was remanded to the Monrovia Central Prison to begin serving his sentence, with payment of the fine required under Chapter 50 of the Penal Law (2012 Amendment).

The Court Sheriff was instructed to enforce the ruling immediately.

A Wake-Up Call for the Education Sector

The ruling comes amid growing public frustration over examination malpractice in Liberia. Education analysts say the decision could set a precedent for accountability and help rebuild confidence in standardized testing.

It also recalls former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s famous 2013 remark that Liberia’s education system was “in a mess”, a statement that continues to resonate as officials grapple with systemic challenges.