Sex scandal suffocates Nathan E. Gibson School

The authorities of Nathan E. Gibson High School in Monrovia say that media reports that a school teacher has raped a student to death is “misleading and exaggerated”.

By Stephen G. Fellajuah

Monrovia, Liberia, May 9, 2025 – The administration of Nathan E. Gibson High School reacted to serious allegations in connection with the death of one of his students, Musu Tarpeh, and her reported relationship with an informatural teacher Stephen Jackson.

The incident that is widespread on social media and local news has created public outrage and triggered a formal explanation of the institution.

On Wednesday, Sayma Konneh, mother of the late Musu Tarpleh, announced that her 17-year-old daughter had been sick since the beginning of April. Medical reports from the SOS hospital showed that the liver of the deceased muse was damaged as the result of taking an unknown substance. As an 8th grade, she died on April 26, 2025 in the 14th military hospital.

After the death of her daughter, Ms. Konneh Musus checked phone and discovered news that was exchanged between her daughter and trainer Stephen Jackson, which indicated a romantic relationship between the two.

In a message, the late Musu complained about stomach pain that Jackson allegedly asked about whether it was pregnant and what they would do. Musu replied: “It would be removed.”

“I took the phone with the news to the school and showed it to the headmaster and some teachers,” said Ms. Konneh and added: “While Stephen read the news and then went out and fled.”

She believes that her daughter has died of the consequences of a failed abortion that may have been encouraged by the teacher.

Momo B. Kamara, Supervisor on Nathan E. Gibson High School, spoke on Thursday, May 8, 2025, the claims during a joint press interview in which she condemned all forms of sexual exploitation, in particular statutory rape, and described media reports that a teacher ran a student as “misleading and exaggerating”.

Kamara emphasized that the incident is tragic, but is still being examined and remains an allegations. He emphasized that the school itself did not employ Stephen Jackson directly.

According to the Kamara, the school's computer labor services are outsourced to a private company, interband, which will independently commission its employees. Interband's instructor Stephen Jackson was commissioned and, according to the administration, was not officially employed at Nathan E. Gibson High School.

However, Kamara confirmed that the school contributed financially to the funeral of Musu Tarpeh in Bomi County and worked with the examination. He said when he heard the allegations, he contacted Alvin Smith, the administrator of Interband, and arranged a meeting between family, interband and police from Zone 5 station in Paynesville.

The authorities have been involved since then and the case was transferred to the Zone 5 police station for further investigation. Kamara stated that both the school and the interband are ready to work fully with the law enforcement authorities to ensure that justice is served.

David S. Dahn, Chief Executive Officer of Nathan E. Gibson High School, expressed grief about the student's death and confirmed the school's commitment to the safety of the students.

“This school, founded in 1983, has contributed significantly to Liberia's education sector,” he said. “We have never encountered such a situation in our history.”

Dahn explained that Musu had no longer visited at school before her death and reported that several medical centers, including the 14 military hospital, had been treated.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to clarify our role in this unfortunate matter and will continue to support the investigation to ensure that the truth is uncovered,” he assured. Processing by Jonathan Browne