The Senate of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, has sanctioned the removal of six students for serious examination misconduct involving the rewriting of a test at a lecturer’s private residence, and has also ordered the withdrawal of nine other students due to poor academic performance and failure to register for two consecutive semesters.

The resolutions were taken during the 167th Regular Senate Meeting, which convened on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, in the University Auditorium.

On 1 July 2026, the University Management acted on reliable intelligence that a lecturer was orchestrating the re‑writing of an examination at his home. Security personnel from the campus seized Dr. Maji Okpanachi of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, several students, and assorted evidence from his residence located behind the Police Area Command Office on Idah Road, Anyigba.

The security report was forwarded to the Examination Misconduct Committee. The committee’s findings were later presented to the Senate at its 167th Regular Meeting on 26 August 2026.

The committee’s investigation corroborated the security report and the confessional statements made by the lecturer and the implicated students, as well as other documentary evidence. It confirmed that a number of students rewrote the examination at the lecturer’s house a few days after the original test had been administered.

Further inquiry revealed that each of the involved students paid the lecturer a sum of N10,000 to facilitate the re‑writing of the course BOT102 (Introduction to Plant Science) at Dr. Okpanachi’s residence.

As a result, the Senate approved the expulsion of the following 100‑Level students from the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology for gross examination misconduct:

• ITODO OJONUGWA JEREMIAH – 26PL1071
• OLLOH KIZITO OJOAJOGWU – 26PL1033
• OKPANACHI FAVOUR – 26PL1065
• ABDULKADIRI SENUSI – 26PL1031
• UMAR IMRAN – 26PL1038
• LAWRENCE SALAMI – 26PL1124

The Senate also resolved to refer Dr. Maji Okpanachi to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for appropriate sanctions in line with university regulations.

In a related action, the Senate approved the withdrawal of nine students on the basis of either refusal to register for two consecutive semesters or unsatisfactory academic performance.

Students withdrawn for failing to register for two semesters are:

• SULEIMAN SALAMATU – 22SC1059, Social Studies Education
• ABDULLAHI HOSSANA – 21BF1003, Banking and Finance
• ANAJA VICTOR ANOME – 21BF1043, Banking and Finance
• EMMANUEL AROME – 21BF1075, Banking and Finance
• ODUTOLA NANCY OLUWANIFEMI – 21BF1138, Banking and Finance
• OLAREWAJU SEGUN ABAYOMI – 21BF1147, Banking and Finance

Students withdrawn for poor academic performance are:

• ADAM SAFIYAT – 24MC1065, Communication and Media Studies
• MUSA FAVOUR – 24MC1086, Communication and Media Studies
• UMOLO JOHN PHILIP – 24MC1192, Communication and Media Studies

The case concerning JUDE OJOAJOGWU ITODO, matriculation number 26PL1068, was sent back to the Examination Misconduct Committee for additional investigation.

Commenting on the outcomes, the Vice‑Chancellor and Senate Chairman, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, reiterated the Senate’s and Management’s unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of academic excellence, discipline, integrity, patriotism, and quality assurance.

Prof. Usman emphasized that any conduct jeopardising the credibility of the university’s academic and examination processes would not be tolerated. He praised the investigative committees for their meticulous work, noting that the decisions underscore the institution’s resolve to reinforce accountability and protect the integrity of its academic framework.

He also restated Management’s dedication to fostering a culture of academic discipline, responsibility, and ethical behaviour among both staff and students, insisting that all university members must respect the rules governing examinations and other scholarly activities.

The Vice‑Chancellor further urged the student body to stay focused on their studies, uphold exemplary character, and fully comply with all academic and examination regulations.

Affected students have been instructed to return any university property in their possession—such as identity cards and other official items—to the designated authorities before leaving the campus.

Uredo Omale

Public Relations Officer

Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba