By OKECHUKWU KESHI UKEGBU

Abia State Polytechnic, Aba has strongly warned those it describes as mischief makers to desist from dragging the hard earned image of the institution to the mud or prepared to face the full weight of the law.

The institution responded to publications alleging that the polytechnic involved in certificate racketeering.

In a release signed by the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Stella Nwakanma, Abia State Polytechnic said that its attention “has been drawn to a frivolous and malicious publication in both the online and mainstream media over an alleged certificate racketeering in the institution in relation to a National Diploma result issued to one Gregory Okwuchukwu Okoafor.”

The polytechnic noted that while it may not want to join issues with mischief makers "that the institution has at no time compromised its standard by engaging in certificate racketeering.

According to the polytechnic, "the student in question was duly admitted by the institution and also fulfilled all conditions required for the issuance of his National Diploma Statement of result.

The polytechnic further noted that “the institution is ever ready to respond to any inquiries relating to its operations in line with laid down procedures, adding that” it is baffled that some media houses have thrown to the winds, ethical issue of balanced reportage, which requires that the positions of parties involved in an issue should be sought.

While appealing to the public to disregard such malicious publication and, at the same time, warn mischief makers to desist from dragging the hard earned image of the Polytechnic in the mud over selfish purposes and interests considering that the institution is apolitical in its operations. The institution said that it has mandated its legal team to explore all legitimate options to redress the issue.