Investigation Panel Reveal How Over 30 Students Of Nigeria's Ambrose Alli University Took Exams, Graduated While Living Abroad

 The Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, has said not less than 30 students took examinations and graduated from the school while based outside Nigeria in the last two years.

A member of the University Special Intervention Team (SIT), Austin Osakue made this known while submitting the progress report of the SIT to Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki at the Government House, in Benin City, the state capital.

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Osakue, in his report advised the Edo state government to constitute a Governing Council and hire principal officers for the school, noting that the work done so far by the SIT will not be appreciated unless the school reviews its enabling laws.

He noted how over 30 cases of AAU students living abroad for not less than two years, writing exams and graduating were discovered by the school.

He revealed that staff members and Heads of Departments involved in the matter have been handed over to the secret police, Department of State Services and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for further investigation and prosecution.

Governor Godwin Obaseki while thanking the panel, restated the Edo State government’s commitment to restoring the lost glory of the Institution, preparing the tertiary institution for EdoBEST students who will be ready to gain admission into the school in about five to six years.

“We need to clear this school due to the educational reforms we have embarked on as our EdoBEST students will be ready in about five to six years for the University and can’t go into a University whose standard is below where they are coming from.

“Few people have held the Institution to ransom; we are ready to fight and break it. If you are a lecturer and you have examined students and have results and failed to present them, you should not expect a salary because you have not completed your work and if it is based on that you want to go on strike again, we are ready for you.

“It’s a fight that is necessary to transform this Institution for the students coming. All these reforms and sustainability must be anchored on the new reformed law and we will be presenting the University’s new bill to Edo House of Assembly at the end of the month for speedy passage,” Obaseki said.

The Governor responding to the need for principal officers of the University, noted that the search for members of the Governing Council will commence immediately

“We will not want to bring in people into the Governing Council without the law in place", he added.

“The Assembly members are here to be part of this event to enable you to have the background to this issue because they will still come to meet you.

“Political interference has brought the school to the position it is today. We are saying it’s time to change because we can’t run a University this way because of the students coming behind. We must make it a first-class university that we all will be proud of. It’s only when you have good institutions that you are sure of development.”