The Senate of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, has expelled six students over examination misconduct after they were found to have paid a lecturer to rewrite an examination at his private residence.
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 reached during the 167th Regular Meeting of the university’s Senate held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to the statement, the university management received credible information on July 1 that a lecturer was allegedly coordinating students to rewrite an examination at his residence.
The lecturer, Dr Maji Okpanachi of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, was subsequently arrested alongside some students and relevant exhibits at his residence behind the Police Area Command Office along Idah Road, Anyigba.
Omale said the matter was later referred to the Examination Misconduct Committee for investigation.
She explained that the committee’s findings corroborated the security report and were supported by confessional statements from the lecturer and the students, as well as other records available to the panel.
The investigation established that the affected students had rewritten the BOT102, Introduction to Plant Science, examination at the lecturer’s residence days after the original examination.
The students were also found to have paid N10,000 each to the lecturer for the arrangement.
Following the report, the Senate approved the expulsion of the six students and referred Okpanachi to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action in line with the university’s regulations.
The Senate also approved the withdrawal of nine students whose academic performance was considered unsatisfactory or who failed to meet the institution’s registration requirements.
Reacting to the decisions, the Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Prof Salisu Usman said the university remained committed to maintaining academic discipline, integrity and quality assurance.
Usman warned that the institution would not tolerate conduct capable of undermining the credibility of its examinations or academic processes.
He commended the committees responsible for investigating the matter, describing their work as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and protect the integrity of the university’s academic system.
The vice-chancellor urged students to remain focused on their studies and comply with the institution’s examination and academic regulations.
The affected students were also directed to surrender university property in their possession, including identity cards and other official items, to the appropriate authorities before leaving the institution.