By By Staff Writer
Lofa County Senator Momo Tarnuekollie Cyrus has raised serious concerns over a recent resolution issued by the Board of Trustees of the Lofa County University (LCU), saying it fails to reflect the true outcome of the Board’s emergency meeting on corruption allegations involving university officials.
The Board convened on September 3, 2025, in response to indictments filed by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) against several LCU administrators. According to Senator Cyrus, the meeting resolved that those indicted should step aside from their positions while their case is before the 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Voinjama.
But in the resolution later made public, there was no mention of recusal. Instead, the Board stressed its confidence in the university’s leadership, reaffirmed the presumption of innocence, and encouraged indicted members to seek legal counsel. This omission, Senator Cyrus argued, undermines accountability.
“While we acknowledge that every accused person is innocent until proven guilty, it is equally imperative to protect the image of the university,” the Senator noted. “Officials facing such serious allegations should recuse themselves temporarily to preserve public trust in LCU and Liberia’s higher education sector.”
The lawmaker maintained that allowing indicted administrators to continue performing their duties could jeopardize the credibility of the institution. He urged the University to amend the resolution so it properly reflects the decision taken during the September 3 meeting.
Senator Cyrus also emphasized his commitment to transparency and good governance, stressing that Lofa County University must be seen as a model of integrity. He warned that missteps in handling the corruption case could erode confidence in both the University and national efforts to fight corruption.
The controversy has thrown LCU further into the spotlight, with many stakeholders now awaiting the University’s next move. The case highlights the delicate balance between ensuring due process and protecting the integrity of public institutions.
The LACC indictments against Lofa County University officials have already sparked public debate in Lofa, where students and residents are calling for reforms. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how allegations of corruption in Liberia’s higher education institutions are handled going forward.
