The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) are investigating Imo State University (IMSU) over an admission racketeering scandal involving 230 fake admission letters.
According to JAMB officials, the admission portal was compromised, leading to the issuance of fake admission letters to non-qualifying applicants.
The ICPC has arrested at least 10 staff members, including the Director of Admissions, Ndubuisi Ubaku, and the Registrar, Dr. Julius Osuagwu, in connection with the scandal.
JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin confirmed that 230 fake admission letters were traced to IMSU, and the affected students would have their admissions withdrawn. He advised admission seekers to be cautious of fake admission letters and to only accept admissions processed through the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).
ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare said the commission had gathered credible evidence to prosecute those linked to the admission racketeering and that the case would soon be charged to court.
A source within the university revealed to PUNCH that admission racketeering was a lingering issue, with staff members selling admission to non-qualifying applicants who scored low in JAMB’s UTME. The source alleged that admission to study medicine was sold for N1.5m, while other disciplines attracted between N300,000 and N800,000.
IMSU spokesperson Ralph Njokuobi confirmed that some staff members were invited for questioning but stated that the case was still under investigation and that the university did not know who was behind the fake admissions.
The investigation is ongoing, and the ICPC has promised to prosecute those found guilty of admission racketeering.
