Students of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia have accused former Federation of African Law Students (FALAS) International President Izetta Jones-Howe of unauthorized fundraising, alleged forgery, financial misconduct and abuse of institutional authority.
The allegations surfaced Monday after the Concerned Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law Students/FALAS Liberia Chapter issued a strongly worded statement distancing the student body from sponsorship letters allegedly circulated under Howe’s name seeking US$52,500 for the participation of 25 Liberian law students at the FALAS Annual Conference 2026.
The students described the alleged solicitation as a “criminal misrepresentation and fraudulent usurpation of authority,” insisting that Howe no longer has any institutional mandate to represent students of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.
According to the students, letters dated September 1, 2026 were addressed to several major institutions, including the University of Liberia, Liberia National Bar Association, Supreme Court of Liberia, National Port Authority and Liberia Petroleum Refining Company.
The students contend that Howe is neither a current student of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law nor an officer of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law Students Association (LAWSA) or FALAS Liberia Chapter.
They therefore called on institutions that received the letters to disregard them and channel any sponsorship or financial assistance for Liberian law students exclusively through the recognized leadership of LAWSA and the FALAS Liberia Chapter.
The latest accusations have also revived questions surrounding a financial report prepared for the FALAS Induction and Swearing-In of the Executive Council for the 2025/2026 period.
The financial statement provided by the students lists a budgeted expenditure of US$26,093, while actual expenditure was recorded at US$22,572, against reported income of US$8,000.
The report lists US$5,000 from the National Port Authority and US$3,000 from former Senator Samuel A. Stevquoah as income received.
It further lists US$15,000 in outstanding income, including US$10,000 expected from the University of Liberia and another US$5,000 pledge from the National Port Authority.
The document records US$14,572 in outstanding payments/accounts payable, leaving an indicated US$428 excess of cash over expenditure, which the report says was to be used as gratuity for the induction planning committee.
The report also contains a note stating that US$1,310 was used from the FALAS account to purchase two plane tickets.
However, law students now question the circumstances under which expenditures were incurred and whether the spending received the necessary institutional approval.
Gbeh Salinto Montgonmery, identified as an Executive of the FALAS International Executive Council and LAWSA, told the media that students had demanded explanations concerning the financial transactions.
“Another case of corruption is that Izetta cannot also account for over US$26,000 intended for FALAS induction,” Montgonmery alleged.
He further claimed that when explanations were demanded, students were presented with informal documentation that they considered inadequate.
The students’ allegations are also being linked to an April 13, 2026 letter from the Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, Asst. Prof. Cllr. Dr. Niveda Cindy Ricks, to the FALAS Executive Council.
In the letter, the Dean raised concerns about Howe’s conduct while serving as FALAS International President and specifically cited an alleged failure to provide a financial report and submit to an audit despite repeated written requests.
“Despite repeated written communications requesting Ms. Howe to provide a financial report and submit to an audit, she has failed and refused to comply,” the Dean wrote.
The Dean said such alleged refusal undermined the principles of accountability and transparency expected from a legal student and organizational leader.
The April correspondence also accused Howe of conduct the Dean considered disrespectful toward her office and referenced an incident at a March 28, 2026 dinner hosted for first-year students.
The Dean subsequently informed the FALAS Executive Council that all FALAS activities at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law would be halted until the concerns were addressed.
The law students say the latest sponsorship letters represent a serious threat to the credibility of the University of Liberia and the integrity of legitimate student organizations.
They argue that allowing individuals without current institutional authorization to solicit money in the name of law students could expose both students and sponsoring institutions to financial and reputational risks.
The group specifically disputed Howe’s alleged authority to solicit US$52,500 for 25 students, saying the amount and fundraising effort were undertaken without authorization from the recognized student leadership.
They also accused Howe of previously receiving funds for similar activities without providing what they consider satisfactory accountability.
The students further alleged that Howe had interfered with internal leadership structures and removed legitimate leaders who refused to comply with her demands.
Beyond the financial and authorization dispute, the students and the institution are also understood to suspect that the current confrontation may be connected to an internal leadership succession battle.
According to information provided by the group, there is a belief within the institution that Howe’s actions are linked to her alleged desire to have a preferred individual succeed her in leadership, following an election in which that individual reportedly failed to win.
The Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law students say they are prepared to pursue legal remedies over what they describe as fraudulent representation.
They have demanded that all institutions receiving correspondence purportedly issued on behalf of Liberian law students verify such communications with LAWSA and the FALAS Liberia Chapter before providing financial support.
All efforts by this newspaper to obtain a response from Izetta Jones-Howe were unsuccessful. Our reporter reached out to Howe through WhatsApp and also placed offline telephone calls seeking her response to the allegations, but received no response as of press time.
