The College of Education, Warri, in Delta State, has denied involvement in the alleged sophisticated examination malpractice syndicate uncovered during the conduct of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
- +Delta College Of Education Distances Institution From Alleged UTME Fraud
It insisted that criminal actions allegedly committed by some individuals should not be used to tarnish the image of the institution.
It insisted that criminal actions allegedly committed by some individuals should not be used to tarnish the image of the institution.
In a strongly worded rejoinder signed by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Vusi Owarieta Enakarhire, the college maintained that the school neither authorised nor supported any form of examination malpractice.
“The institution was not involved in the criminal activities reportedly carried out by certain individuals connected to the incident,” the statement read.
The college “rejects in its entirety every act of examination malpractice, fraud, or unethical conduct capable of damaging the integrity of the nation’s educational system and the image of reputable academic institutions.”
Defending its record as a UTME host centre, the institution noted that for years it had successfully hosted examinations through its CBT Centre, providing only approved facilities and technical support in line with national educational standards.
“At no time did the management authorise, support, encourage, or participate in any illegal activity connected with the examination process,” the statement read in part.
The institution also disclosed that staff members allegedly linked to the incident had been suspended, while their salaries were withheld pending the outcome of investigations and disciplinary procedures.
It stressed that “criminal actions carried out by individuals should not be misconstrued as the position, policy, or culture of the institution”, noting that no organisation is completely immune from misconduct by a few persons acting outside established ethical standards.
The college said it would continue to cooperate fully with security agencies and examination authorities to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
This follows an earlier statement by the Nigeria Police Force, which disclosed that operatives, working in collaboration with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), uncovered and disrupted what it described as an alleged “technology-assisted examination malpractice syndicate” operating during the UTME at the college’s CBT centre in Warri, Delta State.
According to the police, intelligence-led investigations revealed that unauthorised remote access was allegedly gained into candidates’ computer systems while the examination was in progress.
The operation reportedly led to the arrest of three suspects said to be directly linked to the illegal activity, while investigations also uncovered the involvement of other examination centres suspected to have engaged in similar acts.
The police said that affected examination results had been withdrawn pending the conclusion of investigations, while impacted candidates would be rescheduled for a mop-up examination.
