Authorities at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka have taken disciplinary actions against 11 staff members, including three lecturers, for various misconduct.
The three lecturers, Gbenga Akinfe, Ikechukwu Nwosu, and Oyeyemi Ahmed from the Faculty of Education, were found guilty of soliciting money from students in exchange for undeserved grades. In particular, Oyeyemi Ahmed, who used student Paul Tochukwu Emmanuel to collect funds from students and falsely marked passing students as having failed to extort money, has been recommended for dismissal by the university panel.
Students Paul Tochukwu Emmanuel and Chinasa Udeagu, who were involved in these malpractices, received one-year suspensions, while another student, Daniel Kosisochukwu Chukwuma, was expelled from the university for financial fraud, swindling fellow students, exploitation, and non-cooperation with the investigative panel.
Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Special Adviser on Public Relations and Special Duties to UNIZIK’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Esimone, revealed that Mr. Emmanuel Ojika, a Senior Executive Officer in the Continuing Education Programme (CEP), faced a six-month suspension with half salary for alleged fraudulent transactions involving the university.
Mr. Chike Nwobu, a Principal Executive Officer II, was suspended for six months due to extended absence from his duty post and gross misconduct.
Similarly, Miss Adaobi Anona and Mrs. Victoria Okafor, both Senior Executive Officers, were suspended for six months with half salary due to fraudulent financial transactions concerning the university. Mr. Victor Uruakpa, an Assistant Chief Executive Officer, received a three-month suspension for gross misconduct.
Additionally, Mr. Johnson Ihuoma Anozie and Rev Canon Dr. Sylvanus Onyeacholam were implicated in aiding and abetting examination misconduct, leading to their suspension from duty for further investigation.
Mr. Sam Okeke, an Examination Officer in the Department of History and International Relations, was found to have cleared and graduated a student, Nneke Chigozie Paschal, despite having 12 outstanding courses.
Ojukwu said: “Mr Sam Okeke admitted that he committed the offence and was therefore found guilty of falsification of result and grades in favour of Nneke Chigozie Paschal.
“The Panel recommended that he should be dismissed from the services of the University following appropriate procedure, while Nneke Chigozie Paschal’s result should be withdrawn, and further credentials such as certificate and transcripts, should not be issued to him”.“
UNIZIK Takes Disciplinary Measures Against 11 Staff for Exam Malpractice, Extortion, and More
