Kogi Poly Uncovers Certificate Forgery Syndicate Suspends Five Staff

The management of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has suspended five staff members, including a deputy registrar, over alleged involvement in a certificate forgery syndicate within the institution.

Five non-staff suspects have also been arrested, while one staff member remains on the run.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, described the incident as “disheartening,” saying it occurred at a time when the school was making progress in reforms and quality assurance.

According to him, the fraud was uncovered through intelligence reports and verification exercises conducted by the Admissions, ICT, and Security Units. The investigation, carried out with law enforcement agencies, revealed multiple cases of forged National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) results.

Prof. Ogbo explained that some individuals forged ND results and used them to apply for HND admission in the same institution, while others went as far as fabricating both ND and HND certificates in an attempt to collect original documents.

He added that some internal staff were found to have colluded with the suspects, tampering with result records and helping students with carryovers to fraudulently appear as graduates.

Among the identified suspects are Amina Mustapha, who allegedly forged both ND and HND results despite never being a student; Mfon Asuquo, a former student who obtained a fake Statement of Result; and Dansuma Mercy Sunday, accused of conspiring with others, including Abubakar Musa and Henry Tope, said to be the mastermind of the syndicate.

The rector confirmed that the suspects have been handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution, while disciplinary measures are ongoing against any implicated staff members.

Prof. Ogbo reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to upholding integrity and transparency, warning that acts of fraud and misconduct would not be tolerated.