Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by FreeStuffsNG: 8:41pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, State University VC, Others After SaharaReporters’ Report On Certificate Racketeering
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday deliberated on SaharaReporters’ report on certificate racketeering at the state university (LASU) and invited the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Akibu, and the school’s vice-chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, among others.
SaharaReporters on Monday reported that in 2020-2021, a sting operation spearheaded by the school management at the time and the Department of State Services (DSS) exposed certificate racketeering in the school and succeeded in getting confessions from some members of the syndicate.
Sources in the DSS told SaharaReporters that the sting operation which was highly detailed and included the use of body cameras and other gadgets started in 2020 and culminated in the arrest and grilling of a few members of staff.
Some of the members of the syndicate who wrote confessional statements at the DSS in Lagos include Muyideen Zubairu, Daniel Amos, Olowu Abiona, Akindele Qudus Tunde, Oyebanji Olumide Ezun, Tajudeen Abayomi Olumoko, Hammed Ayofe Mutalib, and London Oghenemaro Vincent.
Degree For Sale: Sting Operation Exposes Lagos University Certificate Racketeering, Shielding Of Workers Charging Up To N3Million Per Buyer Nov 06, 2023 https://www.nairaland.com/7902421/degree-sale-sting-operation-exposes
“The certificate racketeering syndicate has genuine Lagos State University certificates that anyone interested can purchase for between N2 million and N3 million, depending on the technicality of the course involved,” one of the sources had said.
“Once they have their client, the only things they will ask from the client are money and their O-level certificate. They check the number of credits you have. That will determine the course they will recommend. As professionals, they know the course you should do or the degree you should go for once you have this or that. Once that is settled, they have members of the syndicate in the ICT department of the school who will input the person’s date into the server. They collect the money and input all your scores, and after, it will be posted on the server of the university.
“Once you go to the school's server with the matric number generated for you, you get the name and details of the student there as an authentic student.”
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the state House of Assembly which described the issue as a ‘matter of urgent public importance’, also invited the school’s Senate and workers in its Information and Communications Technology unit.
The Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, who is an alumnus of the school, in reaction to the motion moved by Owolabi Ajani, said the reputation of the school was at stake.
SaharaReporters learnt that during the sting operation, money was paid separately and at different times to Daniel Amos and Akindele Qudus Tunde for two degrees, one in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management.
Amos charged N2 million for the Industrial Relations and Personnel Management degree for one Adewoye Michael – whose O-level result was used but he was already a graduate of another school at the time. Within three days, the profile of Adewoye Michael including a newly generated matric number and fake results from Year 1 to final year had been uploaded on the school’s server.
For the other candidate, Okowi Cosmos – also a graduate of another school at the time – whose O-level results were used in the sting operation, the bill was N3 million because the course of interest – Business Administration – was rated as more technical and complex.
Narrating how they went about it, one of the security sources said, “Later, we explained that we needed to get another certificate from them. So we presented another O-level certificate but we were told that another group would handle it since it was not Industrial Relations and Personnel Management. That was how we met Qudus, a non-teaching staff member.
“After we met with him, he gave a bill of N3 million and the then-VC (Prof. Fagbohun) who was saddened by the development and eager for us to bust the syndicate provided N1 million as an advance payment to give to the group to lure them in.
“There were body cameras and so on. We worked together as a team then and the school’s security team was also part of the operation.
“True to their word, they did it and everything was posted on the school’s server. It was ready for clearance by the Senate of the school; that was when we arrested those people. They spent some time in custody and made damning statements that indicted top-ranking members of the university.
“Some of those indicted are now professors. One London Oghenemaro Vincent was the head of those responsible for inputting the fake profile and results into the school’s server. He was a guru in it; he also fingered a top-ranking staff member that we tried hard to arrest but couldn’t because he was well-connected.
“Anyway, we found out that the ICT department of the school was very corrupt and there are still elements there today who were part of the certificate racketeering.”
Meanwhile, the school swiftly denied allegations of a cover-up.
Mrs. Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, Coordinator of the LASU Centre for Information and Public Relations, in her reply to SaharaReporters’ inquiry, said, “Sometimes, in the year 2020, the University discovered an incident of admission racketeering involving some of her staff and, in conjunction with a private agent, instituted an investigation on the matter.
“Consequently, the University wrote a petition to the Department of State Security (DSS) for further investigation, and the university gave full cooperation for the investigation.
“Afterwards, the DSS forwarded their report of investigation to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Alausa, for advice, and we were reliably informed that the DPP and the DSS are still working on the matter.
“Nonetheless, we are aware that the agent who worked with the University in investigating the matter is the same agent writing a petition against the university to the Governor of Lagos State, insinuating a cover-up by the University.
“We state unequivocally that the University under this current administration of Prof. Ibiyemi OLATUNJI-BELLO is not covering up any person or group of persons.
“In fact, to the best of our knowledge, investigations are still ongoing, and the University is fully cooperating with the law enforcement agencies and officers in the investigation. The allegation of a cover-up by this administration is not true.
“It is important to reiterate that the University has given full support to the DSS so far.
Therefore, the insinuation that the University did not want the success of the investigation is not tenable. A representative of the University was still at the DPP’s office last week on the matter, and the outcome of the meeting is being worked on." https://saharareporters.com/2023/11/07/lagos-assembly-invites-commissioner-state-university-vc-others-after-saharareporters
|
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by FreeStuffsNG: 8:41pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
That is very swift! I applaud the Lagos State Assembly for quickly rising to the occasion like a working efficient system we are known for in Lagos state. I am equally not surprised that the LASU management is cooperating fully.
Lagos state will get to the bottom of this and ensure that everyone indicted is sanctioned and this unfortunate incident never happens again.
NUC and DSS should extend the sting operation to other schools, especially the state, private and the newly created federal universities. The National Assembly should give all the support to NUC and DSS ( even JAMB!) to tackle and this kind of menace in the universities. It's common unacceptable!)
Below was my initial response:
Eko o gba gbere at all at all.
For now they are regarded as innocent until proven otherwise but if they are eventually proven as guilty, none of them will escape jail, everyone involved must have their day in court.
This is not a state or region where a young woman will forge her JAMB result then drag a whole institution like JAMB with the support of most of her people behind her claiming she was being persecuted not until the bubble bursts that she is the liar.
We will not cover you up because our Lagos is not a hiding place for you if you're not going to be law abiding.
I know that the LASU management and Governing Board will definitely cooperate. The Lagos State House of Assembly must conduct an enquiry on this serious issue as well to understand the whole issue.
This is a very commendable action by the Federal Government agency, DSS and Prof. Fagbohun, the former VC.
I recommend that the DSS and NUC conduct sting operations across board, especially all the SU, SU ,SU state 'universities', private and new FG schools. This report on LASU is heart breaking and completely unacceptable! Check my signature for free stuffs! 13 Likes 2 Shares |
|
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by Blaze14k: 8:50pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Are you kidding! Why should lagos assembly invite the VC when certificate forgery is legal. I thought apc said certificate issued by university are for ceremonial purpose. 86 Likes 9 Shares |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by Abolodje: 8:50pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Tinubu people so I’m not surprised 49 Likes 6 Shares |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by DMerciful(m): 8:50pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
They should invite Tinubu the second time as the certificate forger-in-chief. 53 Likes 7 Shares |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by mejetov422: 8:50pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Lol
How about the identity theft that claim he built Lagos and destroy Nigeria.
When are they summoning him.
Abi some head are big than the other 28 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by oluwaseunamos33(m): 8:50pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
I am inviting them as soon as they are done with Lagos assembly. I don't support rubbish. 8 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by Chicagograduate(m): 8:51pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Oluwole.Tinubu will apply for another certificate from the institution. 26 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by ednut1(m): 8:51pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Many of those in lagos house of assembly also bought their LASU degrees. 54 Likes 6 Shares |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by Global2000: 8:51pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
![angry](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/angry.png) FreeStuffsNG: That is very swift! I applaud the Assembly for quickly rising to the occasion like a working efficient system we are known for in Lagos state. I am equally not surprised that the LASU management is cooperating fully.
Lagos state will get to the bottom of this and ensure that everyone indicted is sanctioned and this unfortunate incident never happens again.
NUC and DSS should extend the sting operation to other schools especially the state, private and the newly created federal universities. The National Assembly should give all the support to NUC and DSS to tackle this kind of issue in the universities.
Below was my initial response:
Eko o gba gbere at all at all.
For now they are regarded as innocent until proven otherwise but if they are eventually proven as guilty, none of them will escape jail, everyone involved must have their day in court.
This is not a state or region where a young woman will forge her JAMB result then drag a whole institution like JAMB with the support of most of her people behind her claiming she was being persecuted not until the bubble bursts that she is the liar.
We will not cover you up because our Lagos is not a hiding place for you if you're not going to be law abiding.
I know that the LASU management and Governing Board will definitely cooperate. The Lagos State House of Assembly must conduct an enquiry on this serious issue as well to understand the whole issue.
This is a very commendable action by the Federal Government agency, DSS and Prof. Fagbohun, the former VC.
I recommend that the DSS and NUC conduct sting operations across board, especially all the SU, SU ,SU state 'universities', private and new FG schools. This report on LASU is heart breaking and completely unacceptable! Check my signature for free stuffs!
FreeStuf ;DfsNG: That is very swift! I applaud the Assembly for quickly rising to the occasion like a working efficient system we are known for in Lagos state. I am equally not surprised that the LASU management is cooperating fully.
Lagos state will get to the bottom of this and ensure that everyone indicted is sanctioned and this unfortunate incident never happens again.
NUC and DSS should extend the sting operation to other schools especially the state, private and the newly created federal universities. The National Assembly should give all the support to NUC and DSS to tackle this kind of issue in the universities.
Below was my initial response:
Eko o gba gbere at all at all.
For now they are regarded as innocent until proven otherwise but if they are eventually proven as guilty, none of them will escape jail, everyone involved must have their day in court.
This is not a state or region where a young woman will forge her JAMB result then drag a whole institution like JAMB with the support of most of her people behind her claiming she was being persecuted not until the bubble bursts that she is the liar.
We will not cover you up because our Lagos is not a hiding place for you if you're not going to be law abiding.
I know that the LASU management and Governing Board will definitely cooperate. The Lagos State House of Assembly must conduct an enquiry on this serious issue as well to understand the whole issue.
This is a very commendable action by the Federal Government agency, DSS and Prof. Fagbohun, the former VC.
I recommend that the DSS and NUC conduct sting operations across board, especially all the SU, SU ,SU state 'universities', private and new FG schools. This report on LASU is heart breaking and completely unacceptable! Check my signature for free stuffs!
|
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by Henix(m): 8:51pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Chicago university, Lagos campus.
Both the seller and the buyers learned very well from their master. 31 Likes 6 Shares |
|
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by jojothaiv(m): 8:51pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Funny piece of news.
People can't give what they don't have. |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by NOwazobia: 8:53pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Customers inviting sales agents... Nigeria, the world national theatre. ![grin](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/grin.png) 11 Likes |
|
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by ATEAMS: 8:54pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Naaawaoo |
|
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by SeeWahala: 8:54pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Invite who? For what? ![angry](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/angry.png) They are only emulating their president, the number 1 citizen of their country . . . Why inviting them? It's like these nigerian politicians are definitely deficient in some medulla vitamins that is making their oblongata not to compute properly ![undecided](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/undecided.png) 9 Likes 1 Share |
|
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by ClearFlair: 8:55pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Kikikikikikikikikiki |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by Mindlog: 8:55pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Why should selling of degree certificate, be an issue? ![cheesy](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/cheesy.png) 11 Likes |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by wittywriter: 8:56pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Nigeria is gone.
Wittyness. 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by VTJN(m): 8:56pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Story Some of those honourable bought theirs too 10 Likes |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by ClearFlair: 8:56pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
|
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by JaySterling: 8:57pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Too bad for such a prestigious university 8 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by rinzaugustine: 8:57pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Lol..clowns should invite tinubu that didn’t attend secondary school but brazenly forged one…shame on anybody supporting a mandate thief, certificate forgoing , identity theft, drug dealer Tinubu ….they have lost that moral right to speak against crime 8 Likes 1 Share
|
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by TotoGame(m): 8:57pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Tinubu's legacy in lagos...Criminality and certificate forgery is now legal,
Gbajuo bastards 12 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by Chetas81(m): 8:57pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
IN A SITUATIONS LIKE THIS,DO YOU THINK NIGERIA CAN MOVE FORWARD,PLS WHY NIGERIAN CITIZEN DON'T PROTEST, WHEN DONALD TRUMP CALLED NIGERIA SHITHOLE 😳😳 ARE WE FOR REAL 😳 3 Likes |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by LegallyBlunt: 8:58pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
To do what exactly? Hasn't their master set a precedent? 7 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by aQUINandmore: 8:58pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
While I was working in a federal polytechnic in Southern part of nigeria, an OND certificate signed by the rector office was 80,000 naira while HND was 150,000. Funny thing was, the school fees per session of the institution was 45k for evening student and around 15 to 20k for regular students. The fact is it happens in EVERY public universities, polytechnics, colleges, even in secondary schools things dey play. If you know how curropt Nigerians are in nature, you go just shake your head and smile. ![cheesy](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/cheesy.png) 6 Likes |
Re: Degree For Sale: Lagos Assembly Invites Commissioner, LASU VC, Others by Rich4god(m): 8:58pm On Nov 07, 2023 |
Any body who is been persecuted on this issue of buying certificate should go to supreme court.... He will get justice. 13 Likes 1 Share |