The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, announced on Tuesday night that it has initiated an inquiry into a swift six-week degree conferred by a university in Cotonou, Benin Republic, to an undercover Nigerian reporter.
According to an investigative report by DAILY NIGERIAN on December 30, 2023, the Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT) in Cotonou granted a degree to the undercover reporter, Audu Umar. Subsequently, Umar utilised this degree to enrol in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
In response to the alleged fraudulent activity, ICPC spokesperson Mrs Azuka Ogugua revealed in a news release that Chairman Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN convened a meeting at the commission’s Abuja headquarters on Tuesday.
The discussion focused on corrupt practices related to expedited degree issuance at the Cotonou university, with the aim of deepening the investigation and initiating appropriate actions
“They discussed the outlet’s December 30th report on alleged corrupt practices in rapid degree issuance at a Cotonou university, aiming to deepen the investigation and initiate relevant actions,” Ogugua stated.
She further stated that ICPC’s probe of the alleged corrupt practice would rigorously examine the networks and individuals engaged in the malpractices in order to restore and preserve the integrity of the country’s educational system.
“The investigation into Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT) in Cotonou reveals a concerning situation where degrees are allegedly awarded in as little as six weeks, bypassing standard academic procedures like application, registration, coursework, and examinations.
“In response to these critical allegations, the ICPC is embarking on a thorough investigation.
“This probe will rigorously examine the networks and individuals engaged in these malpractices, with the objective of restoring and preserving the integrity of our educational system,” Ogugua further stated.
According to her, the anti-corruption commission would collaborate with relevant domestic and international bodies to jointly evaluate the legitimacy of academic qualifications procured from overseas institutions, especially those highlighted in the DAILY NIGERIAN investigative report.
“Furthermore, the Commission will engage in a synergistic collaboration with relevant domestic and international bodies to jointly evaluate the legitimacy of academic qualifications procured from overseas institutions, especially those highlighted in the investigative report.
