The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday night said it had commenced investigation into a six-week degree awarded by a university in Cotonou, Benin Republic, to a Nigerian undercover Reporter.
The Cotonou university, Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT), according to an investigative report conducted and published on December 30, 2023 by DAILY NIGERIAN, awarded a degree to undercover Reporter, Audu Umar, who subsequently used the said degree to register for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
In order to verify details of the alleged fraudulent act, the ICPC, according to a news release signed by its spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, had commenced investigation with a meeting conveyed by its chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN, with the reporter.
Discussion at the meeting held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, the spokesperson stated, centred on the alleged corrupt practices in rapid degree issuance at the Cotonou university with a view to deepening the investigation and initiate relevant actions.
“To verify details and move beyond speculation, ICPC Chairman Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, convened a critical meeting today at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja with a reporter from a news outlet.
“They discussed the outlet’s December 30th report on alleged corrupt practices in rapid degree issuance at a Cotonou university, aiming to deepen the investigation and initiate relevant actions,” Ogugua stated.
She further stated that ICPC’s probe of the alleged corrupt practice would rigorously examine the networks and individuals engaged in the malpractices in order to restore and preserve the integrity of the country’s educational system.
“The investigation into Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT) in Cotonou reveals a concerning situation where degrees are allegedly awarded in as little as six weeks, bypassing standard academic procedures like application, registration, coursework, and examinations.
“In response to these critical allegations, the ICPC is embarking on a thorough investigation.
“This probe will rigorously examine the networks and individuals engaged in these malpractices, with the objective of restoring and preserving the integrity of our educational system,” Ogugua further stated.
According to her, the anti-corruption commission would collaborate with relevant domestic and international bodies to jointly evaluate the legitimacy of academic qualifications procured from overseas institutions, especially those highlighted in the DAILY NIGERIAN investigative report.
“Furthermore, the Commission will engage in a synergistic collaboration with relevant domestic and international bodies to jointly evaluate the legitimacy of academic qualifications procured from overseas institutions, especially those highlighted in the investigative report.
While soliciting cooperation of all in the probe, the ICPC spokesperson asserted that Nigerians can work together towards a future where the credibility of the country’s educational qualifications is unimpeachable.
“The ICPC calls upon all stakeholders in the educational and governmental sectors to join hands in this critical endeavor.
“Together, we can work towards a future where the credibility of our educational qualifications is unimpeachable, and where corruption finds no refuge.”