Kogi varsity expels six students for rewriting examination at lecturer’s residence

The Senate of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, has expelled six students for gross examination misconduct after they were found to have rewritten an examination at the private residence of a lecturer.

The university also approved the withdrawal of nine other students over poor academic performance and failure to register for two consecutive semesters.

The decisions were taken at the 167th Regular Meeting of the university’s Senate held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale, the six students were involved in an examination rewriting exercise allegedly coordinated by Dr Maji Okpanachi of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology at his residence.

The university said its security operatives arrested the lecturer and some students at his residence on July 1, 2026, following information received about the alleged examination malpractice. The residence is located behind the Police Area Command Office along Idah Road, Anyigba.

Several exhibits were reportedly recovered during the operation, after which the matter was referred to the Examination Misconduct Committee for investigation.

The committee, according to the university, established that the affected students had rewritten BOT102 (Introduction to Plant Science) at the lecturer’s residence several days after the original examination.

It further found that each of the students paid N10,000 to the lecturer to participate in the rewriting of the examination.

After considering the committee’s report and other evidence, including statements from the lecturer and students involved, the Senate approved the expulsion of the six students.

The Senate also referred Dr Okpanachi to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for appropriate disciplinary action in line with the university’s regulations.

In a separate decision, nine students were withdrawn from the university for poor academic performance and failure to register for two consecutive semesters.

The Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, discipline, integrity and quality assurance.

Usman said the university would not tolerate any conduct capable of undermining the credibility of its academic and examination processes.

He commended the committees involved in investigating the cases, saying the decisions demonstrated the university’s resolve to promote accountability and safeguard the integrity of its academic system.

The Vice-Chancellor urged students to remain focused on their studies and adhere strictly to the institution’s academic and examination regulations.

The university also directed the expelled students to surrender all its property in their possession, including identity cards and other official items, to the appropriate authorities before leaving the institution.