Kogi University sends off six students for exam cheating at lecturer's home

The Senate of Prince Abubakar Audu University in Anyigba, Kogi State, has expelled six students for serious exam misconduct. They were caught rewriting an exam at a lecturer's private home.

The Senate also decided to withdraw nine other students for failing in their academics and not registering for two straight semesters.

These decisions were made during the 167th Regular Meeting of the university’s Senate on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the university auditorium.

This information was shared in a statement released on Monday by the university's Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale.

According to the statement, the university management took action on July 1, 2026, after receiving reliable information that a lecturer was helping students to rewrite an exam at his home.

"On July 1, 2026, the University Management acted based on credible information that a lecturer was coordinating students to rewrite an examination at his residence. This led to the arrest of Dr Maji Okpanachi from the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology and some students, along with some evidence from his home, which is located behind the Police Area Command Office along Idah Road, Anyigba," Omale explained.

She mentioned that the security report was sent to the Examination Misconduct Committee. This committee’s findings were discussed in the Senate meeting.

"The committee report confirmed the security report and the confession from the lecturer and the students involved, along with other evidence that some students rewrote the exam at the lecturer’s home days after the actual exam," she noted.

Omale further stated that the committee found out that the affected students paid N10,000 each to the lecturer to rewrite the Course: BOT102 (Introduction to Plant Science) at his house.

She added that the Senate also decided to send Okpanachi to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for the right disciplinary action according to the university rules.

In a related matter, the Senate approved the withdrawal of nine students due to poor academic performance and failure to register as required.

Reacting to these decisions, the Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, said the Senate and university management are committed to upholding high academic standards, discipline, integrity, and quality assurance.

He emphasized that the university will not accept any behaviour that could damage the credibility of its academic and exam processes.

Usman praised the committees for their thorough work, saying the results showed the university's resolve to ensure accountability and protect the integrity of its academic system.

He repeated the management’s commitment to promoting academic discipline, responsibility, and ethical conduct among staff and students. He stressed that everyone in the university community must respect the rules regarding exams and academic activities.

The Vice-Chancellor also encouraged students to stay focused on their studies, maintain high character standards, and fully comply with the university’s academic and examination regulations.

"The students affected have been instructed to return all university property they have, including ID cards and other official items, to the appropriate authorities before leaving the university," the PRO concluded.