Kogi State Polytechnic has uncovered a nine-member syndicate allegedly involved in certificate racketeering and document falsification.
Rector of the institution, Prof. Salisu Ogbo, disclosed this while addressing journalists on Friday in Lokoja.
According to him, five staff members have been suspended, while four individuals claiming to be students have been arrested in connection with the fraud.
“Management recently uncovered a syndicate involving some students, non-students, and a few dishonest staff members who manipulated academic records in total disregard for due process and our institutional values,” Ogbo said.
He revealed that about 30 forged certificates had been produced and sold to unsuspecting buyers. Some of the suspects even used the fake National Diploma results to apply for Higher National Diploma admission in the same institution.
Ogbo explained that the fraud was detected through intelligence reports and routine verification by the Admission, ICT, and Security Units of the polytechnic.
“These individuals tampered with the security features on our Statements of Result and collaborated with result processors to clear students with multiple carryovers,” he said.
The rector described the act as a serious attack on the school’s integrity and vowed that those involved would face the full weight of the law.
“Our quality assurance and security systems remain firm and uncompromised,” he assured.
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