The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Carol Chinyelugo Arinze-Umobi, has cracked down on admission racketeering in the institution, ordering disciplinary sanctions against a staff member, Nnaji Kenneth, for alleged fraudulent practices.

Kenneth, a staff member of the Personnel Unit(Statistics) in the Registry Department, was alleged to have collected N400,000 from a prospective student’s mother, with the promise of securing admission for her son into the Faculty of Medicine.

However, the bubble burst when the deal was later renegotiated for admission into Nursing Science, and the mother of the admission seeker, who made the payment, reported Kenneth’s actions to the Acting Vice-chancellor after he stopped picking up her calls.

This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Head, Information and Public Relations Officer/Protocol of the institution, Louis Njelita.

Njelita said the case came to light after the mother of the victim reported the matter directly to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, after the accused staff member stopped taking her calls.

He said the accused staff member reportedly admitted to the allegation, adding that the case has since been referred to the appropriate disciplinary committee, with the university community awaiting the outcome.

The statement read In part, “The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has cracked down on admissions racketeering within the institution.

“A staff member of the Personnel Unit (Statistics), Registry Department, Mr Nnayi Nnamdi Kenneth, was accused of collecting the sum of N400,000 only from a prospective student’s mother, promising to secure admission for her son into the Faculty of Medicine.

“However, the deal was later renegotiated for admission into Nursing Science. The Woman, who made the payment, reported Kenneth’s actions to the Acting Vice-Chancellor after he stopped picking up her calls.

“When confronted, Kenneth admitted to his actions in the presence of the Chief Safety Officer, Mr Ken Chukwurah, Chief Legal Officer. Rev. Fr. Maurice Izunwa, and the University’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Nyelita Louis.

“The acting VC reiterated the university’s policy on admission, emphasising that ‘admission is free’.

“The matter has been referred to the appropriate disciplinary committee, and the university community awaits the outcome.”

According to the institution, this decisive action is seen as a welcome development, and it is hoped that it will serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to engage in similar acts of corruption. (Saturday PUNCH)