Kogi State Polytechnic has said that a staff member in the Exams and Records unit already under disciplinary review had in its possession 30 forged Statements of Result bearing different names and programmes.
Security operatives also recovered several fake official stamps, stamp pads, and admission letters bearing different names and programmes from his residence’.
The Rector, Professor Salisu Usman Ogbo, disclosed that the syndicate operates and manipulates academic records within the institution.
He made the revelation while briefing Journalists in his office on a matter he described as ‘of serious concern regarding the integrity of its academic system’.
Professor Ogbo said the institution uncovered the scandal involving some students, non-students, and some members of staff who conspired to manipulate the academic records of the institution.
According to the Rector, the syndicate was found to have manipulated academic records, forged results, and attempted to obtain original certificates using fake documents, in connivance with some staff members, including a Deputy Registrar, who is currently on suspension.
He explained that the syndicate forged National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) results, with some individuals even attempting to collect original certificates for the fabricated results, noting that ‘such criminal acts represent an assault on the credibility and reputation of our institution, and they cannot be allowed to go unpunished’.
He said investigations revealed several cases of document falsification, including forged National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) results, with some suspects compromising the institution’s security arrangements and tampering with security features on the institution’s Statements of Result.
The Rector, who noted that the suspects used sophisticated methods to compromise the instruction’s security arrangements and tamper with security features on official documents, said all the suspects involved in the forgery scandal would be handed over to the Police for further investigation and diligent prosecution, to serve as a deterrent to others.
‘We are pleased to inform the public that four suspects involved in the forgery of statements of result were apprehended during registration. They have been handed over to our security unit, whose investigation led to the unmasking of the broader syndicate behind this academic fraud’.
While reiterating its uncompromising zero-tolerance policy for academic fraud and unethical conduct, the Rector emphasized that any staff member, student, or external collaborator found culpable will face the full wrath of the law and institutional disciplinary measures.
‘We shall not relent in our effort to expose and eliminate all forms of misconduct that are capable of denting the hard-earned reputation of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
‘All individuals involved in this forgery scandal will be immediately handed over to the Police for further investigation and diligent prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others.’
He again assured the public, other stakeholders, and the Polytechnic community that its quality assurance measures and security mechanisms remain fully active and uncompromised, insisting that the institution will not relent in its efforts to protect its integrity and reputation.