Africa-Press – Liberia. Izetta Jones Howe, recently announced as Dux of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia, has become the center of public controversy following fraud allegations raised by exiled Liberian activist Martin Kollie.
The allegations have sparked widespread public debate and drawn reactions from prominent legal figures, including Cllr. Charlyne M. Brumskine, who has cautiously weighed in, using the moment to defend Liberian women against what she described as a recurring pattern of bias.
Madam Howe has strongly denied the accusations and challenged Kollie to present any evidence publicly. She has reiterated pride in her academic accomplishments and expressed confidence that the facts will ultimately vindicate her.
Over the weekend, Kollie used his official Facebook page to challenge the law school’s announcement naming Howe as Dux, an honor reserved for the graduating student with the highest academic standing. He claimed that a leaked dossier of documents suggested what he termed “alleged fraud” and demanded that the university address the matter.
“The student announced as ‘Dux’ of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, Izetta Jones Howe, should not be the Dux,” Kollie wrote, insisting the University of Liberia had until February 23 to break its silence.
Speaking on a podcast on Monday, February 23, 2026, Cllr. Brumskine clarified that she does not personally know Madam Howe and has never met her. However, she stressed that she has seen no evidence to substantiate claims of fraud and cannot conclude that any wrongdoing occurred.
“I am speaking to whether or not this woman committed any fraud or rightly earned her position as Dux,” Brumskine stated.
She further highlighted what she described as a troubling trend in Liberia, where women who excel academically or professionally are often subjected to allegations intended to diminish their achievements.
Brumskine recounted her own experience after emerging as Dux of the Supreme Court Bar Examination, when accusations surfaced that she had received undue assistance. She recalled that critics even alleged her late father, Charles M. Brumskine, who had died three years earlier, somehow influenced the outcome.
According to Brumskine, such narratives reflect a broader societal tendency to deny women their rightful recognition. “Too often, when a woman excels, her success is attributed to negativity rather than merit,” she argued.
She concluded with a call for national introspection, urging society to reassess its views of women’s competence and achievements. “As a society, we sincerely need to rethink how we see women. We must commit individually to being more open-minded about the competence, success, and ability of women,” Brumskine appealed.
Meanwhile, in her response to the allegations, Madam Howe said she remains unshaken and ready to clear her name, choosing to allow the facts to speak for themselves rather than engage in a war of words before any purported evidence is presented.
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