By Okeke Igbokwe

The Anambra State government owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) committee has 'indicted' the Dean, Faculty of Law of the University, Professor C. C. Nwabachili and an examination officer, Mrs Ifeoma Kakulu for allegedly participating in 'falsification of students results.'

Nwabachili and Kakulu allegedly played some roles in graduating 30 Law students of the COOU 2018/2019 set that graduated in 2022/2023 academic session.

A report of the committee constituted to look into the allegation exclusively obtained by our reporter, recommended for the duo to be suspended, while the 30 students who graduated because of the act should be recalled so they could complete their studies.

The committee whose report was signed since May 14, 2024, was constituted by the University Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha. It had the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC Academic), Professor O. I. Chiaghanam as Chairman, Barr. K. Nwokora of Senate Affairs unit as Secretary, and five others as members. They included Rev. Fr. Prof. A. I. Ezeogamba (Department of Religion and Human Relations), Prof. I. E. Udoye (Department of English), Rev. Canon Dr U. T. Umeifekwem (Department of Public Administration), Mrs C. O. Egbuna (Head, Exams Unit Igbariam campus), Mr I. M. Izuakor (Acting Coordinator, ICT).

The committee was constituted following a petition written by Professor Steve Unachukwu of the Law Faculty of the University, who reportedly submitted same to the former Vice Chancellor, Professor Greg Nwakaoby before withdrawing it towards expiration of the tenure of the later.

According to the report, the committee found gross inconsistencies in the content of the result booklets in the faculty of law and individual result sheet of the students in Examination Unit of the University, including lumping together 6 elective courses in both first and second semesters, to mention but few others, indicating that majority of the students under review of the committee offered only a course each, thereby making it impossible for them to graduate as when due.

The report, while noting that the Dean Faculty of Law failed to submit the materials originally demanded from him by the committee, added that “There are gross inconsistencies in the results. They are (a) The actual results in most cases did not tally with the awarded results (b) In some cases, the actual score (grade) is reduced while in some it will be increased. For instance, ‘A’ grade may be recorded as ‘B’ or ‘B’ recorded as ‘A’ (c) Some of the courses offered were not recorded (d) There are places where a failed course is scored ‘pass’ and they tag it as ‘upgrade’ and (e) carryover results are not tagged as a course retaken hence they are recorded as fresh result.”

It recommendations read thus; “Based on the findings, the 30 students in the supplementary list did not merit the award of LL. B Degree. Therefore, their certificates should be withdrawn and the students recalled to complete their studies.

“The committee having discovered that the results of the 30 students in the supplementary list were inconsistent and falsified, observed with dismay the role played by the Dean, Faculty of Law, Professor C. C. Nwabachili and the Examination Officer in the Examination Unit, Mrs Ifeoma Kakulu, the committee recommends suspension of both staff, pending the decision of the University Governing Council. See pages 17 (a), 41 (s) (2) of the Staff Condition of Service. All the Non-teaching Staff in the Faculty of Law should be redeployed out of the Faculty of Law with immediate effect.”

Also in the committee report, Professor C. C. Nwabachili said the allegation was a gang up to hold him down, adding that he inherited a bad system and had tried his best to bring orderliness to the faculty even as "the petitioner acted on hear saw without actually understanding what was involved."