By PEACE AREMU

The Senate of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi, has approved the expulsion of six students over examination misconduct and withdrawal of nine others for poor academic performance.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Uredo Omale, on Monday in Anyigba.

Omale said that the decisions were taken on Monday at the 167th Regular Meeting of the Senate, held at the university auditorium, Anyigba.

He said that six 100-Level students of Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology were expelled for rewriting of Introduction to Plant Science examination at the private residence of their lecturer, Dr Maji Okpanachi.

Omale said the incident occurred after management had received credible information that the examination was being coordinated at the lecturer’s residence, leading to the arrest of the lecturer and some students by university’s security operatives on July 1.

He added that investigations confirmed that the students paid N10, 000 each to rewrite the examination, days after it was initially conducted.

Omale said that the senate also approved the referral of Okpanachi to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for appropriate disciplinary action.

He said that another set of nine students were also asked to withdraw, including six who failed to register for two consecutive semesters, while three others were withdrawn based on poor academic performance.

Meanwhile, the senate has referred the case of Jude Itodo, a 100-Level student of the same the department, back to the Examination Misconduct Committee for further investigation.

Omale quoted the institution’s Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Prof. Salisu Usman, as reaffirming the university’s commitment to academic excellence, discipline, integrity and quality assurance.

Usman said that the university would not tolerate acts capable of compromising the credibility of its academic and examination processes.

He urged students to remain focused on their studies, maintain good character and comply with the institution’s academic and examination regulations.

The vice-chancellor said the affected students were directed to surrender university property in their possession, including identity cards and other official items, to the appropriate authorities before leaving the institution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the decisions followed consideration of reports presented by the committee and other relevant university authorities. (NAN)