ICPC, JAMB Probe IMSU Over 230 Fake Admission

The Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri, Imo State,is currently under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), over an allegation of admission racketeering involving some staff members of the institution.

JAMB officials revealed that after investigations, they noticed a compromise in its admission portal and traced over 230 fake admission letters back to IMSU. During the investigation, the ICPC summoned staff members associated with the fraudulent act for investigation. Several staff members implicated in the admission racketeering allegations were reportedly apprehended.

 JAMB Spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that nearly 10 employees of the institution were apprehended. He also mentioned that a collaborative operation between JAMB and ICPC officials led to the interrogation of 230 students whose names were linked to counterfeit admission letters discovered at the school.

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He stated, "Indeed, 230 counterfeit admission letters were discovered at IMSU. We reported the matter to the ICPC, resulting in the arrest of almost 10 staff members. The individuals responsible for the fraudulent activities in the university's admission office were apprehended, and the Vice Chancellor played a supportive role by ensuring that all staff members involved, including those in his office, faced consequences.

"Furthermore, the 230 students whose names appeared on the counterfeit admission letters were also subjected to questioning, and their admissions will be revoked. Among these students, some are in their fourth year, while others are in their third year. However, anyone found to be involved will undoubtedly lose their admission."

Benjamin stated that during JAMB's monitoring of the admission process at IMSU, they discovered discrepancies in the numbers that were approved by JAMB. He explained, "At that moment, we decided to involve the ICPC since we lacked the authority to prosecute. We engaged the ICPC and also had discussions with the VC, who was cooperative and supportive. The VC mentioned that he had suspicions but lacked evidence. He expressed his desire for us to assist in cleansing the system, and that is exactly what we have done."

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"Approximately 10 employees were apprehended at the VC's office, Registrar's office, and Admissions Office. The ICPC and JAMB collaborated as a team during the investigation, which led to the interrogation of 230 students."

"During the interrogation, it was revealed that money had been exchanged between the students and certain staff members. As a result, we will revoke the admissions of these students, and the ICPC will take over the case."

Benjamin, while describing the affected students as participants in the admission racketeering at IMSU, advised prospective admission seekers to refrain from accepting admissions based solely on a university's admission letter. He cautioned, "If a university provides you with an admission letter, it should raise a red flag and caution you. The instruction is clear that all admissions must go through CAPS. Therefore, if someone presents you with a fake admission letter, do not accept it because admissions must be approved by JAMB."

"We do not directly offer admissions. Instead, we have established a process where universities make recommendations, send them to us, and we approve them if they comply with the rules and regulations. Hence, any admission that has not been approved by us should not be accepted."

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The spokesperson for the ICPC, Demola Bakare, when contacted, said the commission had gathered credible evidence to prosecute those linked to the admission racketeering at IMSU, adding that the case would be charged to court soon.

The spokesperson for IMSU, Ralph Njokuobi, in his reactions to the allegations levelled against all the staff members mentioned in this report, said the case was still under investigation.

Njokuobi said, “Some of them (the staff members mentioned) were invited to come and explain. It is an allegation until it is substantiated. The investigation is ongoing and I don’t need to comment, even though the case hasn’t gone to court.

Source: The Punch