The Federal University of Education (FUE), Pankshin, Plateau State, has uncovered and dismantled a syndicate involved in the forgery, alteration, and issuance of fake academic results and certificates purportedly belonging to the institution, with two members of the group convicted and sentenced to prison.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Jere Ndazhaga, disclosed this on Monday during a press conference at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Jos, saying the development was part of deliberate efforts by the management to protect the integrity of the institution.
According to him, the discovery followed the presentation of a suspicious certificate by an individual at the University’s Examinations and Records Section, where the document failed to reflect on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal.
He added that the matter was promptly escalated to the University Security Unit, which uncovered deeper criminal activities beyond the initial complaint. The Vice-Chancellor explained that based on credible intelligence, the University formally reported the matter to the State Intelligence Department (SID) on November 17, 2025.
In his words, “The attention of the University was drawn to this criminal activity when an individual approached our Examinations and Records Section with a certificate and complained that his result could not be uploaded on the JAMB portal. Owing to the vigilance, professionalism and high level of sensitivity of the staff on duty, obvious inconsistencies were immediately detected on the document, raising serious suspicion.”
“Further findings by our security unit revealed that what we were dealing with was not an isolated case but a coordinated syndicate specialising in the forging, alteration and issuance of fake academic results and certificates, falsely presented as having been issued by the defunct Federal College of Education, Pankshin, now upgraded to a Federal University of Education, Pankshin.”
“Following preliminary investigations and credible intelligence reports indicating that criminal elements were actively producing fake certificates bearing the name of this institution, the University reported the matter to the State Intelligence Department. This action was taken in line with our zero-tolerance stance against academic fraud and in the interest of safeguarding public trust.”
He further disclosed that undercover security operations led to the arrest of Mr. Friday Tunkyes of Mikang Local Government Area on November 18, 2025, while another suspect, Mr. Harvey Obed Ringsum of Mangu Local Government Area, was apprehended the following day.
Ndazhaga noted that the Nigeria Police Force thoroughly investigated and prosecuted the case, culminating in the conviction of the suspects.
“During the course of the operation, several forged certificates of different academic qualifications were recovered from the suspects, alongside the official emboss stamp of the institution. This discovery clearly established the scale, sophistication and criminal intent of the syndicate.”
“After due investigation, arraignment and completion of all legal processes, the suspects were found guilty by a competent court of law and sentenced to one and a half years’ imprisonment each. They are currently serving their sentences at a correctional centre. This outcome is meant to serve as a strong deterrent to anyone who may contemplate engaging in similar criminal activities,” he added.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor said the University decided to make the matter public to protect its reputation and to caution employers and institutions against patronising academic fraud.
He advised public and private organisations to always verify certificates claimed to have been issued by the University, assuring that the management would continue to strengthen internal mechanisms to prevent academic malpractice.
