By Uboh-Ekong Treasure
The management of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has uncovered a major fake results and certificate forgery syndicate operating within the institution, leading to the suspension of five staff members, including a Deputy Registrar.
The Rector of the Polytechnic, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, disclosed this during a press briefing held on Wednesday in Lokoja. He described the discovery as “a serious threat to the integrity and reputation of the Polytechnic.”
According to the Rector, the syndicate was involved in forging National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) statements of results, as well as other academic documents bearing the institution’s name. Some of the fake certificates were allegedly sold to individuals who had not completed or attended the institution.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the illegal operation involved both staff and non-staff collaborators. Professor Ogbo noted that several forged certificates and result templates, including fake admission letters and institutional stamps, were recovered during the internal probe conducted by the Polytechnic’s Admission, ICT, and Security units.
“The management of Kogi State Polytechnic wishes to reaffirm its zero-tolerance stance on all forms of academic dishonesty. The institution will not hesitate to sanction anyone found culpable, no matter their position,” the Rector stated.
He added that five staff members, including a Deputy Registrar, have been placed on indefinite suspension pending the outcome of a full investigation, while others linked to the syndicate have been handed over to security agencies for further interrogation and possible prosecution.
The Rector also emphasized that the Polytechnic has strengthened its verification systems to prevent future manipulation of academic records and to safeguard the institution’s credibility.
