A Turkish national, identified as Uyar Ugur, has been arrested and is being investigated by the Liberia National Police over allegations that he presented fraudulent academic credentials purportedly issued by the University of Liberia.
According to authorities, the document in question claims that Ugur graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Liberia on February 25, 2026, with Magna Cum Laude honors, a distinction awarded to students who achieve high academic performance.
The case came to light after Ugur reportedly approached the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) seeking an official letter of attestation for his academic credentials.
However, the Commission’s Executive Director, Dr. Cecelia Cassell, disclosed that a verification exercise conducted with the University of Liberia allegedly revealed that the applicant’s name did not appear in the institution’s records.
Investigators further noted that the academic document, dated September 2026, bears the name of former University of Liberia Registrar Aaron Sengbeh. Sengbeh was suspended more than a year ago following allegations related to the issuance of fraudulent academic credentials.
During preliminary questioning, Ugur reportedly told investigators that he had transferred from Turkey to the University of Liberia, where he pursued engineering studies and completed one year of online coursework.
Police said an interpreter assisting the suspect later informed investigators that the document had been obtained from another individual. However, the interpreter reportedly did not disclose the identity of the person who provided the credential.
The suspect was initially detained at the Zone Three Police Station before being transferred to the headquarters of the Liberia National Police, where authorities are continuing their investigation into the authenticity of the document and the circumstances surrounding its acquisition.
No formal charges have been announced publicly, and the allegations against Ugur remain under investigation. Under Liberian law, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction.
