Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, has expelled six students after an investigation found them involved in an examination malpractice scheme in which they allegedly rewrote a paper at a lecturer’s private residence.
The university Senate 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 Senate held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the university auditorium.
The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The examination malpractice case dates back to July 1, when university security operatives acted on information that a lecturer was allegedly arranging for students to rewrite an examination at his residence.
“On 1st July, 2026, the University Management acted based on credible information that a Lecturer was coordinating students to re-write an examination at his residence. This led to the arrest of Dr Maji Okpanachi of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology and some students along with some exhibits from his private residence, behind the Police Area Command Office, along Idah Road, Anyigba by the security operatives of the University,” Omale stated.
Following the arrests, the matter was forwarded to the Examination Misconduct Committee for investigation.
According to Omale, the committee’s findings corroborated the security report and were supported by confessional statements allegedly made by the lecturer and students, as well as other records available to the panel.
“The committee report further confirmed the security report as well as the confessional statements by the Lecturer and the students involved and other available records, that some students re-wrote the examination at the lecturer’s residence, days after the examination was written.
“The committee further revealed that the affected students paid the sum of N10,000 each to the lecturer to re-write the Course: BOT102 (Introduction to Plant Science) at the residence of the course lecturer, Dr. Maji Okpanachi,” she added.
After considering the committee’s report, the Senate approved the expulsion of the six students involved in the examination misconduct.
It also directed that Okpanachi be referred to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action under the university’s rules and regulations.
In a separate decision, the Senate approved the withdrawal of nine students because of unsatisfactory academic performance and their failure to complete registration requirements for two consecutive semesters.
Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, said the decisions reflected the institution’s determination to protect the credibility of its academic system.
He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, discipline, integrity, patriotism and quality assurance, warning that misconduct that undermines its examination system would not be tolerated.
Usman commended the committees that investigated the matter, saying their work demonstrated the university’s commitment to accountability and the protection of academic standards.
He urged students to take their studies seriously, maintain good conduct and comply with all regulations governing examinations and other academic activities.
The university also directed the expelled students to return all institutional property in their possession before leaving the university.
“The affected students have been directed to surrender all University property in their possession, including identity cards and other official items, to the appropriate authorities before exiting the University,” the PRO added.
