The Monrovia Magisterial Court has found Augustine S. Saysay, a former examination officer of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), guilty of criminal conspiracy, misapplication of entrusted property, theft of property, and aiding in the commission of a crime, in connection with the leak of the 2024 WASSCE Mathematics examination.
In a ruling delivered by Associate Magistrate Lasane Kamara, Saysay was sentenced to 12 months in prison at the Monrovia Central Prison and fined USD 1,000.
The court emphasized that his actions constituted a serious breach of public trust and national examination standards.
The case arose from the suspected leak of the 2024 WASSCE Mathematics paper, which was scheduled to be administered in Tapita, Nimba County, on May 30, 2024.
WAEC launched an investigation after concerns were raised about the integrity of the exam process.
The inquiry revealed that the security bag assigned to Saysay was found unsealed, with two bundles of exam booklets missing.
A joint investigation conducted by WAEC and the Liberia National Police (LNP) uncovered financial transactions and text messages linking Saysay to three co-defendants: Amos Bowah, Hamid Alhanssan Bangura, and Lewis A. A. Leeco. Evidence showed that the stolen exam materials had been distributed or sold, giving certain students an unfair advantage.
Although the co-defendants are awaiting trial, Saysay had requested a separate trial, which led to his individual prosecution and subsequent conviction.
Three prosecution witnesses testified, including Mrs. Wynna George-Soper, Acting Head of the Test Division at WAEC.
She outlined the protocols that were breached and confirmed the missing materials.
She also referenced a confession made by Saysay prior to police involvement, during which he reportedly pleaded for forgiveness.
LNP Investigator Dennis N. Weah also testified, confirming that mobile money transfers totaling LRD 100,000 were traced from the co-defendants to Saysay.
He authenticated statements made during the investigation.
In his defense, Saysay denied all charges, citing his 18-year clean record with WAEC and alleging police coercion.
However, the court found these claims unsubstantiated, as no medical evidence or credible testimony supported his allegations.
Even his brother, called as a defense witness, admitted he had not witnessed any abuse by the police.
In his ruling, Magistrate Kamara stated that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
He condemned Saysay’s actions as a severe violation of trust, especially in a country striving to strengthen its fragile educational system.
“Trust was broken in Tapita, and the man entrusted to protect the integrity of our national exams chose personal gain over public duty,” said the Magistrate. “This is a betrayal of our education system and the future of our children.”
The court ruled that Saysay’s actions met the legal requirements for Theft of Property (Section 15.51), Misapplication of Entrusted Property (15.56), Criminal Conspiracy (10.4), and Aiding the Commission of a Crime (12.5), under Liberia’s New Penal Code.
The court ordered Augustine S. Saysay be immediately taken to Monrovia Central Prison to begin his 12-month sentence.
The USD 1,000 fine must be paid in accordance with Chapter 50 of the Penal Law, as amended in 2012. The court’s sheriff was directed to enforce the judgment without delay.
The ruling sends a strong message amid increasing concerns about exam malpractice in Liberia.
It echoes the longstanding warnings of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who once described Liberia’s education system as “a mess.”
Educational pundits believe this case could mark a turning point in efforts to restore public confidence in standardized testing and to ensure accountability for those entrusted with key national responsibilities.
