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How UNICAL HOD Was Suspended After Altering 235 Exam Scripts

Published

2 months ago

Oct 10, 2024.

The University of Calabar (UniCal) has suspended Joseph Akpan, a lecturer and Head of the Department of Pharmacology, over allegations of altering examination results.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, made this known on Wednesday in Calabar, stating that Akpan used his position to manipulate students’ scores in the Introduction to General Antimicrobial Pharmacology (PHM 311) course.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that According to Prof. Obi, Akpan tampered with 235 out of the 242 exam scripts entrusted to him, with only five scripts being genuinely marked without alteration. She further revealed that Akpan admitted to this misconduct before the Senate Examination Misconduct Committee (SEMC), acknowledging that he inflated the scores to “protect the department’s image”—an excuse the university management found unacceptable.

Prof. Obi added that Akpan had also awarded marks to two students who did not participate in the examinations, a serious violation of academic integrity.

“As a result of these findings, the management of the University has decided that Mr. Akpan be relieved of his position as Head of Department and Coordinator of PHM 311. He has been suspended from his duties, effective October 8, 2024,” Prof. Obi stated.

UNICAL Lecturer Suspended

She added that Akpan’s official responsibilities would be reassigned to other qualified lecturers within the department. Additionally, he has been directed to stay away from the university premises unless summoned by relevant committees to address the matter.

This suspension is part of the university’s ongoing efforts to maintain academic standards and ensure integrity in its examination processes.