ICPC, DSS Arrests 48 lecturers, Others, Summon 3 Vice Chancellors

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested 48 individuals which include lecturers, parents, security officers, ICT specialists, other workers and students for their alleged illegalities in the conducts of the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB).

In a statement released on Wednesday by the spokesperson for ICPC, Mrs Azuka Ogugua said that three current Vice-Chancellors have also been invited by ICPC.

Trixx NG learnt that the suspects were arrested from Wellspring University, Benin, Edo State; Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State; Crown-Hill University, Ilorin, Kwara State; McPherson and Precious Cornerstone universities in Ibadan and Ilara-Epe in Oyo State.

The statement further said that the joint operation, tagged ‘Operation Combo’, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, led to the arrests in seven states after extensive monitoring of tutorial schools allegedly known for notoriously compromising JUPEB examinations.

It also led to the arrest of the President of Tutorial School Owners (ATSO) whose name was not mentioned.

“It was revealed that syndicated social media platforms were created by the facilitators for leaking questions and circulating answers to students for a fee during examinations.

“Investigation also revealed that candidates, who are mostly minors, allegedly paid between N350,000 to N500,000 each to the suspects in the various tutorial schools to engage in the illegalities.

“The cartel, in connivance with the coordinators of the examination centres and other management staff of the institutions, deliberately allowed security lapses to enable the candidates go into examination halls with smart-phones.

“And other electronic devices were allowed to send question papers to waiting groups online and subsequently, receive answers to questions thereby engaging in massive malpractices.

“Some of the suspects arrested have been granted administrative bail while investigation is ongoing,” the statement read in part.

JUPEB is an advanced level educational examination that qualifies its candidate for admission into 200 level in any Nigerian and foreign universities through direct entry.