UNICAL Suspends 9 Students Over Examination Malpractice and Result Forgery

Nine students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have been suspended over alleged involvement in examination malpractice and the submission of forged academic results, according to details obtained by PulseNets.

The disciplinary action was formally conveyed in a statement issued by the institution’s Registrar, Chukwuka Icha. PulseNets learnt that the decision followed deliberations at the university’s 252nd Senate meeting, where reports presented by the Ad Hoc Senate Committee on Examination Malpractice and the Senate Students’ Disciplinary Committee were reviewed.

Sources familiar with the proceedings told PulseNets that the Senate carefully examined the findings before adopting the committees’ recommendations.

Mr Icha, in the statement obtained by PulseNets, explained that five of the affected students were found culpable of examination malpractice, while four others were implicated in result forgery.

”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,” he said.

PulseNets reported that the students suspended for examination malpractice are 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.

The four others sanctioned for allegedly submitting forged results include 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.

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University authorities have directed heads of departments, deans of the affected faculties and the Acting Chief Security Officer to enforce strict compliance with the suspension order. PulseNets learnt that the sanctions will run for two academic sessions beginning with the 2024/2025 academic year.

The development underscores the University of Calabar’s disciplinary framework on examination malpractice and academic integrity, as the institution moves to reinforce compliance with its academic regulations.