The Senate of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi State, has approved the expulsion of six students for gross 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 over poor academic performance and failure to register for two consecutive semesters.
The decisions were among the major resolutions reached at the 167th Regular Meeting of the university’s Senate, held on August 26, 2026, at the university auditorium.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale.
According to the statement obtained by The News Chronicle, the university management acted on July 1, 2026, following credible information that a lecturer was allegedly coordinating students to rewrite an examination at his private residence.
Omale said the operation led to the arrest of Dr Maji Okpanachi of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, alongside some students, while security operatives also recovered exhibits from his residence along Idah Road, Anyigba.
She said the security report was subsequently referred to the university’s Examination Misconduct Committee, whose findings were later considered by the Senate.
According to the PRO, the committee confirmed the security report and the confessional statements made by the lecturer and the affected students, establishing that some students rewrote the examination days after it was originally conducted.
The investigation further revealed that the affected students allegedly paid N10,000 each to rewrite BOT102, Introduction to Plant Science, at the residence of the course lecturer.
Omale added that the Senate approved the referral of Dr Okpanachi to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action in accordance with the university’s rules and regulations.
In a related development, the Senate approved the withdrawal of nine students over poor academic performance and failure to comply with registration requirements.
Reacting to the decisions, the Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Prof Salisu Ogbo Usman, reaffirmed the university management’s commitment to maintaining high standards of academic excellence, discipline, integrity, patriotism and quality assurance.
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Usman stressed that the university would not tolerate any act capable of compromising the credibility and integrity of its academic and examination processes.
He commended the committees involved in the investigation for their thorough work, noting that the outcome demonstrated the institution’s determination to strengthen accountability and safeguard the integrity of its academic system.
The Vice-Chancellor also urged students to remain focused on their studies, uphold high standards of character and learning, and comply fully with the university’s academic and examination regulations.
Omale said the affected students had been directed to surrender all university property in their possession, including identity cards and other official items, to the appropriate authorities before leaving the institution.
