The Federal University of Education, Pankshin, uncovered a syndicate forging academic certificates, leading to the arrest and jailing of two men for 18 months

The Federal University of Education, Pankshin, has uncovered a syndicate involved in forging and issuing fake academic results and certificates, leading to the conviction and imprisonment of two men.

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The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Dr. Jere Ndazhaga, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing, stating that the suspects Friday Tunkyes and Harvey Obed Ringsum were each sentenced to one and a half years’ imprisonment by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Ndazhaga explained that the criminal operation was exposed after a suspicious certificate was presented at the institution’s Examinations and Records Section by an individual who complained that the result had not been uploaded on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal.

Due to the vigilance of university staff, inconsistencies were immediately detected, prompting a referral to the University Security Unit and subsequently the Divisional Police Office in Pankshin.

“I have been overseeing the affairs of the institution for the past four months, and it is important to state clearly that the university recently uncovered the nefarious activities of a syndicate specialising in forging, faking, and altering academic results and issuing them as though they were from the defunct Federal College of Education, Pankshin,” Ndazhaga said.

Based on intelligence reports, the case was formally reported to the State Intelligence Department after it emerged that criminal elements were producing fake certificates bearing the university’s name.

An undercover operation led to the arrest of Tunkyes on November 18 in Mikang Local Government Area, followed by the arrest of Ringsum on November 19 in Mangu Local Government Area.

During the operation, security agents recovered numerous forged certificates covering various academic qualifications, as well as official emboss stamps of the institution.

Following investigation and prosecution, both men were found guilty and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, and are currently serving their sentences at a correctional facility.

“This development is disturbing and unacceptable to the university management. It is intended to serve as a strong deterrent to others who may contemplate similar criminal acts,” Ndazhaga said.

He urged employers and institutions to always verify academic certificates and warned that the university would not tolerate any attempt to undermine its credibility.

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“There is no shortcut to knowledge. Every genuine certificate issued by this institution represents years of rigorous academic training, character formation, and integrity. We will not tolerate any act capable of tarnishing the image of the university or undermining the value of education,” he added.