KOSA Challenges WAEC in Court
By Mackie M. Jalloh
A major legal confrontation is unfolding between the Kenema Old Students Association (KOSA) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Sierra Leone, following a controversial decision that has ignited national debate over transparency, accountability, and students’ rights within the country’s examination system.
At the center of the dispute is the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), one of the most critical academic assessments for secondary school students across West Africa. KOSA has initiated legal proceedings after WAEC invalidated the results of a high-performing candidate from the Government Secondary School Kenema, a move the association describes as “procedurally flawed and unjustified.”
Represented by legal counsel Pa Momo Fofanah, KOSA argues that the examination body failed to adhere to principles of due process, raising serious concerns about how decisions affecting students’ futures are made. The case is not only about a single results, but also about the broader credibility of the national examination framework.
The controversy traces back to an earlier decision by WAEC to withhold the results of multiple candidates from the school over alleged examination malpractice. This action triggered widespread concern among parents, educators, and alumni, prompting formal engagement between KOSA and WAEC. According to the association, the initial withholding of results was met with calls for clarity and evidence based justification.
In what appeared to be a resolution, WAEC later released the withheld results after concluding its internal review. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when the council subsequently singled out one candidate and nullified his results, a decision that KOSA insists lacked both transparency and communication.
The candidate in question, Unpha Lamin Koroma, had reportedly delivered an exceptional academic performance, placing him among the country’s top achievers. His results, which briefly appeared in the public domain, drew widespread recognition before being abruptly withdrawn. This sequence of events has intensified suspicion and fueled public discourse around fairness in academic evaluation.
KOSA’s National Secretary General, Ibrahim Fayia Sawaneh, has framed the lawsuit as a necessary step to protect institutional integrity and student welfare. He emphasized that the association’s decision to pursue legal redress reflects a growing demand for accountability within public institutions, particularly those entrusted with shaping educational outcomes.
Meanwhile, Koroma himself has maintained a firm stance, expressing readiness to undergo any independent verification process to validate his results. His position has resonated with many across Kenema, where community members have rallied in support, describing the situation as both distressing and potentially damaging to the student’s future.
The silence from WAEC Sierra Leone at the time of reporting has only deepened public concern. Education stakeholders are now closely watching the case, which is expected to test not only the legal boundaries of examination governance but also the ethical obligations of institutions responsible for academic certification.
As proceedings move forward, the case is poised to set a significant precedent. Beyond the immediate parties involved, its outcome could reshape how examination disputes are handled in Sierra Leone, reinforcing or challenging public confidence in one of the region’s most important educational bodies.
