Sex scandal chokes Nathan E. Gibson School 

Authorities of Nathan E. Gibson High School in Monrovia says media reports that a teacher of the school raped a female student to death is “misleading and exaggerated.”

By Stephen G. Fellajuah

Monrovia, Liberia, May 9, 2025 – The Administration of Nathan E. Gibson High School has responded to serious allegations surrounding the death of one of its students, Musu Tarpleh, and her reported relationship with a computer science teacher, Stephen Jackson. 

The incident, widely discussed on social media and local news, has generated public outrage and prompted a formal statement from the institution.

On Wednesday, Sayma Konneh, mother of the late Musu Tarpleh, disclosed that her 17- year-old daughter had been sick since early April. Medical reports from SOS Hospital indicated that the late Musu’s liver was damaged, believed to be the result of ingesting an unknown substance. An 8th grader, she died on April 26, 2025, at the 14 Military Hospital.

Following her daughter’s death, Ms. Konneh reviewed Musu’s phone and discovered messages exchanged between her daughter and Instructor Stephen Jackson, suggesting a romantic relationship between the two. 

In one message, the late Musu complained of stomach pain, to which Jackson allegedly responded by asking if she was pregnant and what they would do. Musu replied, “It would be removed.”

“I took the phone with the messages to the school and showed them to the Principal and some teachers,” Ms. Konneh explained and added, “While there, Stephen read the messages and then walked out and fled.”

She believes her daughter died as a result of a failed abortion, possibly encouraged by the teacher.

However, Momo B. Kamara, Supervisor at Nathan E. Gibson High School, addressed the claims during a joint press interview on Thursday, May 8, 2025, condemning all forms of sexual exploitation, particularly statutory rape, and describing media reports that a teacher raped a student to death as “misleading and exaggerated.”

Kamara emphasized that the incident, while tragic, is still under investigation and remains an allegation. He stressed that the school itself did not directly employ Stephen Jackson.

According to Kamara, the school’s computer lab services are outsourced to a private company, Interband, which independently hires its staff. Instructor Stephen Jackson was contracted by Interband and was not officially employed by Nathan E. Gibson High School, according to the administration.

However, Kamara confirmed that the school contributed financially to Musu Tarpleh’s funeral in Bomi County and has cooperated with the investigation. He said that upon hearing the allegations, he contacted Alvin Smith, the administrator of Interband, and arranged a meeting between the family, Interband, and Police from Zone 5 Station in Paynesville.

Authorities have since been involved, and the case has been referred to Zone 5 Police Station for further investigation. Kamara indicated that both the school and Interband are prepared to cooperate fully with law enforcement to ensure justice is served.

David S. Dahn, Chief Executive Officer of Nathan E. Gibson High School, expressed sorrow over the student’s death and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to student safety.

“This school, established in 1983, has contributed significantly to Liberia’s education sector,” he said. “We’ve never encountered a situation like this in our history.”

Dahn explained that Musu had not been attending school for an extended period before her death and had reportedly been treated at multiple medical centers, including the 14 Military Hospital.

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