Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, has taken disciplinary actions against a total of 14 academic and non-academic staff members, as well as other individuals, including students, due to various misconducts and infractions.
Among those affected, five lecturers were implicated in a range of offenses, including extorting money from students who had successfully completed their courses. One lecturer was terminated for collaborating with a student to extort funds from other students, falsely declaring that students who had passed his courses had failed, all with the intention of extortion.
Additionally, a lecturer from the Department of History and International Relations faced dismissal for manipulating results and grades to favor a student.
Three lecturers from the Faculty of Education were suspended pending further investigation for allegedly accepting money from students in exchange for unearned scores.
Sanctions were also imposed on students involved in the misconduct, including a priest. The priest and another individual were accused of aiding and abetting exam malpractice after accepting bribes from students.
This information was conveyed in a press release issued on Sunday by Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Special Adviser for Public Relations and Special Duties, following recommendations from a panel that led to the expulsion and suspension of the implicated individuals, including students.
The statement read, “The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has taken disciplinary actions against the following staff and students for various offenses.
“Principal Executive Officer 11, abandoned his duty post for a considerable length of time. As a result, he was indicted for gross misconduct and suspended from duty for six months to serve as a deterrent to other officers
“Senior Executive Officer was indicted for fraudulent financial transaction concerning the university. She was suspended for six months on half salary.
“Examination Officer in the Department of History and International Relations was indicted for clearing and graduating a student who had 12 outstanding courses. He admitted that he committed the offense and was therefore found guilty of falsification of results and grades in favor of the said student and was dismissed from the services of the university following the appropriate procedure.
“Two lecturers in the Faculty of Education were indicted for sorting, obtaining money from students in exchange for unmerited scores. They are suspended from duty following the appropriate procedure
“The students who were used for the collection of money were suspended for one academic year and one student was expelled from the university for financial fraud, swindling fellow students, exploitation, and deliberate refusal to cooperate with the investigation.
“Another lecturer was indicted for sorting for grades and using a student to collect money from students. The lecturer brazenly listed names of students who passed his courses as having failed with the sole purpose of extorting them. The panel recommended him for dismissal as he was described as ‘unfit’ for the university.”
More information and the names of the indicted officers are contained in the school bulletin.
