34 students expelled from Kogi poly over cultism, certificate forgery

The academic board of the Kogi State Polytechnic has expelled 34 students of the institution over involvement in examination malpractice, certificate forgery and cultism.

Uredo Omale, the institution’s head of public relations and protocol unit, broke the news in a statement.

The students’ expulsion was approved by the board at a meeting held on Thursday after examining report of its committee constituted to look into the matter.

According to the board, the actions of the students violated the institution’s provisions on cultism, certificate forgery and exam malpractice contained in the students information handbook of the polytechnic.

It added that some of the expelled students were among the ‘examination magic centre’ syndicate recently bursted by the institution at Sarkin Noma axis of Lokoja metropolis.

The board revealed that the ‘magic centre’ was initiated by Ibrahim Ayatu, a HND II student of the department of accountancy, and Ayeni Clement, a former student of the Polytechnic.

It approved the expulsion of Ayatu from the institution, while banning Ayeni from entering the polytechnic until further notice.

In the same vein, the board expelled Ekele Hassan, a HND I student of industrial design (graphics) also said to be a staff, after he was caught with an already answered booklet.

Also, Alih Kemalu and Isah Habib from the department of public administration were expelled for their involvement in cultism while Emmanuel Oluwaseun Ojo, a HND II student of the department of mineral and petroleum resources engineering, also bagged expulsion for possessing dangerous weapons.

On the other hand, Nda Zubairu, a HND II student of the department of science laboratory technology, was expelled for forging the National Diploma (ND) statement of result from the Federal Polytechnic Idah which he used to secure HND admission into Kogi Polytechnic.

The development comes as the board approved the graduation of 959 students from various departments as recommended by the result verification committee.