Examination misconduct has led Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, to expel six students over an alleged exam rewrite at a lecturer’s residence and withdraw nine others.
The Senate of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi State, has approved the expulsion of six students over gross examination misconduct involving the rewriting of 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 comply with registration requirements.
The decisions were reached at the 167th Regular Meeting of the university’s Senate, held at the University Auditorium in Anyigba on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale.
According to the university, the six affected students were 100-Level students in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology who were found to have been involved in rewriting BOT102, Introduction to Plant Science, days after the examination had originally been conducted.
The incident reportedly came to the attention of the university management on July 1, 2026, following credible information that a lecturer was allegedly coordinating students to rewrite the examination at his private residence.
University security operatives subsequently arrested the lecturer, Dr Maji Okpanachi, alongside some students at the residence behind the Police Area Command Office along Idah Road in Anyigba. The university said exhibits were also recovered during the operation.
The matter was referred to the Examination Misconduct Committee for investigation.
According to the committee’s findings, the security report, statements obtained during the investigation and other available records established that some students had rewritten the examination at the lecturer’s residence several days after the original examination.
The investigation further found that the affected students allegedly paid ₦10,000 each to participate in the unauthorised examination rewrite.
Following consideration of the committee’s report, the Senate approved the expulsion of the six students for gross examination misconduct.
The Senate also approved the referral of Dr Okpanachi to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the university’s rules and regulations.
In a separate decision, nine students were withdrawn from the university. Six were withdrawn for failing to register for two consecutive semesters, while three others were affected over poor academic performance.
Meanwhile, the Senate referred the case of Jude Itodo, another 100-Level student in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, 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 protecting academic excellence, discipline, integrity and quality assurance.
He said the institution would not tolerate acts capable of undermining the credibility of its academic and examination processes.
Usman urged students to remain focused on their studies, maintain good character and comply fully with the university’s academic and examination regulations.
The affected students were also directed to surrender all university property in their possession, including identity cards and other official items, to the appropriate authorities before leaving the institution.
The decision underscores PAAU’s renewed emphasis on examination integrity and its determination to enforce disciplinary measures against conduct capable of compromising the credibility of its academic system.
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