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

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

The decisions were taken during the university’s 167th Regular Senate Meeting held on August 26 at the University Auditorium.

The university’s Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday.

Omale said the university management received credible information on July 1 that a lecturer was coordinating students to rewrite an examination at his residence.

According to her, the information led to the arrest of Dr Maji Okpanachi of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology and some students by university security operatives at his private residence behind the Police Area Command Office on Idah Road, Anyigba.

She said some exhibits were also recovered during the operation.

The matter was subsequently referred to the Examination Misconduct Committee, whose report was later considered by the Senate.

Omale said the committee’s findings, statements from the lecturer and students involved, and other available records showed that the affected students paid N10,000 each to the lecturer to rewrite BOT102, Introduction to Plant Science, at his residence.

The Senate subsequently approved the expulsion of the six 100-level students of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology.

1. Itodo Ojonugwa Jeremiah (26PL1071)

2. Olloh Kizito Ojonugwa Ogwu (26PL1033)

3. Okpanachi Favour (26PL1065)

4. Abdulkadiri Senusi (26PL1031)

5. Umar Imran (26PL1038)

6. Lawrence Salami (26PL1124)

The Senate also referred Dr Okpanachi to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for disciplinary action.

The nine other students approved for withdrawal were divided into two categories.

Those withdrawn for failing to register for two consecutive semesters are:

7. Suleiman Salamatu (22SC1059), Social Studies Education

8. Abdullahi Hossana (21BF1003), Banking and Finance

9. Anaja Victor Anome (21BF1043), Banking and Finance

10. Emmanuel Arome (21BF1075), Banking and Finance

11. Odutola Nancy Okuwanifemi (21BF1138), Banking and Finance

12. Olarewaju Segun Abayomi (21BF1147), Banking and Finance

Those withdrawn for poor academic performance are:

13. Adam Safiyat (24MC1065), Communication and Media Studies

14. Musa Favour (24MC1086), Communication and Media Studies

15. Umolo John Philiip (24MC1192), Communication and Media Studies

The Senate also referred the case of Jude Ojonugwa Ajogwu Itodo (26PL1068) back to the Examination Misconduct Committee for further investigation.

The Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to maintaining academic standards, discipline and integrity.

Usman said the university would not tolerate any act capable of compromising the integrity of its academic and examination processes.

He commended the committees involved in the investigation and said the outcome demonstrated the university’s determination to strengthen accountability and protect the integrity of its academic system.

The Vice-Chancellor urged students to remain focused on their studies, maintain good conduct and comply with the university’s academic and examination regulations.

The affected students were directed to surrender university property, including identity cards and other official items, to the appropriate authorities before leaving the institution.