UNICAL moves to curb exam fraud, sacks eight staff, penalizes one

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has dismissed eight members of its staff and imposed a two-year promotion delay on another employee after disciplinary proceedings approved at the institution’s 174th Governing Council meeting.

The disciplinary measures were announced in a memo signed by the University’s Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Dr. Mrs. Icha Chukwuka.

According to the memo, the affected staff members were found guilty of various acts of misconduct, including examination malpractice, diversion of funds, and vandalism.

The university said the decisions were reached after the Governing Council considered and reviewed disciplinary cases presented during its 174th meeting.

Those dismissed include Prof. Emilia Oyira of the Department of Nursing Science, over alleged examination misconduct; Mr Ukachukwu Echezunachi Darlington of Chemical Pathology, Mrs Akinrinade Opayemi Ogunluyi of Microbiology, Dr Arum Priscilia Nchekwube of Internal Medicine, and Mrs Okoi Nyesam Eni of the Clinical Medical Hostel, all sacked over absence and abandonment of duty.

Also affected are Mr Joseph Edet Okon of the Works Department, dismissed over allegations of vandalizing and carting away armoured cables, and Mr Eworo Valentine Ibor of Pure and Applied Chemistry, dismissed for allegedly falsifying and altering examination results.

Similarly, Mr Emmanuel Adariku of the Alumni Relations Office was dismissed over unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the Friends of Malabor/Alumni Trust Funds account, while Dr Mathias Agba of Nursing Science was handed a two-year promotion delay and forfeiture of 50 percent of his withheld salary over negligence linked to an examination misconduct case.

The Registrar’s memo stated that the University “continues to reiterate its zero tolerance to all forms of unethical practices,” noting that the administration of Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong “remains resolute in his determination to rebrand the institution on a foundation of integrity and excellence in service delivery.”

The disciplinary action is coming amid heightened scrutiny of ethical conduct among staff of tertiary institutions nationwide, with universities under pressure to clean up their systems following repeated public outcry over examination fraud, financial impropriety and abuse of office by both teaching and non-teaching staff.

The University’s Public Relations Unit, which released the statement, said the affected staff were dismissed in line with due process, following Council’s deliberation on the disciplinary reports presented to it

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