The management of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has suspended five members of staff and handed four individuals claiming to be students over to security operatives for their alleged involvement in a certificate racketeering scheme within the institution.
The Rector, Prof. Salisu Ogbo, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing in Lokoja.
He explained that the syndicate was uncovered through intelligence gathering and routine checks conducted by the institution’s Admissions, ICT and Security Units.
According to him, the suspects were accused of forging National Diploma certificates belonging to the institution and selling them to unsuspecting buyers who later attempted to use the forged documents to secure admission into the Higher National Diploma programme.
“We recently uncovered a syndicate involving some students, non-students, and a few dishonest staff members who manipulated academic records in total disregard of due process and institutional ethics,” Ogbo said.
The rector revealed that about 30 forged original certificates were discovered during the investigation.
“These individuals had the audacity to forge ND results in the name of Kogi State Polytechnic and even proceeded to apply for HND admission within the same institution using the fake documents,” he added.
Ogbo further noted that the syndicate also assisted some students with multiple carryovers who refused to complete their examinations by fraudulently altering their results to show them as qualified graduates.
“This is a direct attack on the credibility and integrity of our institution. Such actions will not be ignored or allowed to thrive,” he warned.
He assured stakeholders, parents and the public that the Polytechnic remains committed to maintaining strict academic standards and safeguarding its reputation.
“We are determined to expose and eliminate all forms of misconduct capable of tarnishing the hard-earned image of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja,” he stated.
The rector confirmed that ongoing investigations will lead to appropriate disciplinary actions and possible prosecutions.
