Kogi University expels six students over exam malpractice

By Anuoluwa Amao

Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, has expelled six students following an investigation that uncovered an examination malpractice scheme in which the students allegedly paid a lecturer to let them rewrite a paper at his private residence.

The university’s Senate, meeting for its 167th Regular Session on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, also approved the withdrawal of nine additional students over consistently poor academic performance and their failure to register for two consecutive semesters. Details of both decisions were shared in a statement released Monday by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale.

The malpractice case traces back to July 1, when university security operatives, acting on a tip-off, discovered that a lecturer was allegedly coordinating with students to rewrite an already-completed examination at his home. According to Omale, the operation led to the arrest of Dr Maji Okpanachi of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, along with several students, at his private residence near the Police Area Command Office along Idah Road, Anyigba. Security personnel also recovered exhibits from the scene during the arrest.

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The matter was subsequently handed over to the university’s Examination Misconduct Committee for a full investigation. Omale said the committee’s findings not only backed up the initial security report but were further reinforced by confessional statements from both the lecturer and the students involved, alongside other supporting evidence.

Investigators found that the students had rewritten their BOT102 (Introduction to Plant Science) examination at Dr Okpanachi’s residence days after the original exam had already taken place and that each student involved paid N10,000 to secure the arrangement.

Acting on the committee’s findings, the Senate approved the expulsion of the six students implicated in the scheme and directed that Dr Okpanachi be referred to the university’s Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for further action under institutional rules.

Vice-Chancellor and Senate Chairman, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, framed the decisions as a firm statement on the university’s commitment to protecting the integrity of its academic system. He reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to excellence, discipline and accountability, warning that any conduct threatening the credibility of its examination process would be met with serious consequences.

Usman also praised the investigative committees for their diligence, describing their work as proof of the university’s readiness to hold both students and staff accountable when standards are breached. He urged the student body more broadly to take academics seriously, uphold good conduct, and follow all regulations governing examinations and campus life.

As part of the fallout, the university has directed the expelled students to surrender all institutional property currently in their possession including identity cards and other official items before formally exiting the institution.