Freetown, Sierra Leone – March 10, 2026 — The College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) has annulled its recent pre-admission examination involving more than 800 applicants following allegations of widespread examination malpractice.
The decision was reached during an emergency meeting held at the institution’s New England campus and chaired by Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor James B. W. Russell. The meeting brought together senior college officials, including faculty deans, examination supervisors, and programme coordinators, to deliberate on the reported irregularities.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Russell emphasized that the institution maintains a strict policy against academic dishonesty, declaring that COMAHS will not tolerate any form of misconduct in its academic processes.
He underscored that integrity, discipline, accountability, and respect must remain the core principles guiding the college.
During the meeting, Prof. Russell also raised concerns about what he described as a declining academic culture within the institution, particularly pointing to reputational challenges facing the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery.
He stressed that healthcare training institutions must uphold the highest standards, noting that hospitals and healthcare facilities should provide clean, safe, and properly equipped environments for patient care.
Several senior academics supported the call for stronger oversight. Dr. Edris Tejan urged the strict enforcement of examination regulations, while Dr. Donald Conteh argued that examination malpractice has become a broader systemic problem, often beginning at the secondary school level during the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Meanwhile, Dr. Michael Lahai, Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences, recommended the introduction of more robust quality assurance measures to strengthen the integrity of future examinations.
Following deliberations, the meeting adopted several measures aimed at addressing the situation and preventing future incidents. These include the cancellation of the disputed examination, the formation of an investigative committee, the submission of detailed reports by examination officials, and the introduction of conference marking for the current admission cycle. The college also resolved to engage neutral external examiners for subsequent examinations.
Prof. Russell concluded by ordering a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the allegations, stressing that anyone found culpable would be thoroughly scrutinized as part of the process.
The statement was issued by Bai Kandeh Turay, Communication Officer at COMAHS, under the University of Sierra Leone.
