Kogi varsity expels six students for rewriting examination at lecturer’s residence

Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) in Anyigba, Kogi State, has expelled six students due to examination misconduct after they were caught rewriting a course exam at a lecturer's private residence. The university also withdrew nine more students for not registering for two consecutive semesters or for poor academic performance.

These decisions were made during the 167th Regular Meeting of the university's Senate on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the University Auditorium. Mrs Uredo Omale, the Public Relations Officer for the institution, announced this in a statement. The examination malpractice began on July 1, 2026, when the university received information about students allegedly planning to rewrite an exam at the private residence of a lecturer in Anyigba.

Security operatives arrested Dr Maji Okpanachi from the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology and several students at his residence, located near the Police Area Command Office on Idah Road. Exhibits were recovered from the residence, and the matter was forwarded to the Examination Misconduct Committee. The committee confirmed the university's claims through statements from the lecturer and the students involved, as well as other records.

The students who rewrote the exam were reportedly paid N10,000 each by the lecturer to do so. The Senate approved the expulsion of the six students from the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology: Itodo Ojonugwa Jeremiah, Olooh Kizito Ojoajogwu, Okpanachi Favour, Abdulkadiri Senusi, Umar Imran, and Lawrence Salami. Dr Maji Okpanachi was also referred to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for potential disciplinary action according to the university's rules.

Additionally, six students were withdrawn for missing two consecutive semesters, and three more were expelled due to poor academic performance.