UNICAL Suspends Nine Students for Two Academic Sessions

On campuses where exam pressure is already high, this latest disciplinary action is sparking conversations about integrity and consequences.

The University of Calabar has suspended nine students over alleged examination malpractice and forgery of results.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the suspension is contained in a statement issued by the institution’s Registrar, Dr. Chukwuka Icha.

Icha said the decision was taken at the 252nd Senate meeting following reports presented by the Ad-Hoc Senate Committee on Examination Malpractice and the Senate Students’ Disciplinary Committee.

According to him, while five students were suspended for examination malpractice, the other four were found to have submitted forged results to the university.

Icha stated:

“After reviewing the reports and recommendations of the committees, the management resolved that the affected students should be suspended for two academic sessions, and the suspension will take effect from the 2024/2025 academic year.”

NAN reports that those suspended include Akwuba Enestina, 300 Level, Pharmacy; Udom Iboro, 300 Level, Pharmacy; Nwankwo Daniel, 200 Level, Pharmacy; Ore Israel, 500 Level, Pharmacy; and Chisom Ejafa, 500 Level, Pharmacy.
Others are Lazarus Ebogo of the Department of Home Economics; Ele Godwin of the Department of Zoology; Ofem Patrick of the Department of Science Laboratory Technology; and Makailu Pamilo of the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies.

Heads of departments, the deans of the affected faculties, and the institution’s Acting Chief Security Officer have been directed to ensure full compliance with the suspension order.

PUNCH Online reports that this development comes after the University of Abuja approved the expulsion of 28 students.

A statement by the school on February 22 said:

“The affected students were found culpable of serious misconduct, including assault, conspiracy, burglary, theft, falsification of ‘O’ Level results uploaded on the university portal for admission, as well as possession and use of hard drugs.”

For students watching these developments from their hostels and lecture halls, the message is hard to ignore: academic shortcuts and misconduct can come with consequences that stretch far beyond a single semester.

(NAN)