EXCLUSIVE: University Of Abuja Grants Amnesty To Students Expelled For Exam Malpractice Over Alleged Ties To Senate President Akpabio

The University of Abuja, recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University, has granted amnesty to students previously sanctioned for examination malpractice — a decision that has stirred controversy within the campus community.

In a memo dated July 16 and signed by the Acting Registrar, the university said the move was intended to give affected students a second chance and enable them to continue their academic journey free from the weight of past disciplinary actions.

A memo with reference number UA/AO/VC/01, titled "Implementation of Amnesty for Students Involved in Examination Misconduct," and signed by Mustapha Tanimu, Deputy Registrar (Academic), on behalf of the Acting Registrar, has been circulated to the Acting Vice Chancellor and all principal officers of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja).

The document states that the University Senate, at its 189th Regular Meeting held on May 28, 2025, approved amnesty for all students implicated in examination malpractice between the 2020/2021 and 2024/2025 academic sessions.

The memo explained that the decision followed delays in acting on the recommendations submitted by the Central Examination Misconduct Committee, prompting management to offer a blanket amnesty to affected students.

The memo partly read: "The University Senate at its 189th Regular Meeting held on Wednesday 28th May, 2025 at the Academic Conference Centre and acting on the power contained in the University of Abuja Act, Section 19, sub-section 1 considered the recommendation of the Central Examination Misconduct Committee which, approved and granted Amnesty for all the students that were involved in any examination misconduct within the period of 2020/2021 to 1st Semester 2024/2025 academic sessions."

"This decision was aimed at promoting a fresh start on the fact that, the University management had taken a longer time to act thus, the amnesty was granted due to the delay on the part of our Institution and providing an opportunity for the students to continue their academic pursuit without the burden of past infractions,” it said.

"In view of the above, Faculties are directed to reinstate the students accordingly," it added.

Documents obtained by SaharaReporters show that the affected students are Moore Emmanuel with Matric No: 16271044 of Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, and Bassey Gold Okon with Matric No: 16271181 of Department of Chemical Pathology.

Their examination offences were reported to have occurred on June 7, 2023, at 2:15 p.m., and June 8, 2023, at 2:32 p.m., respectively.

An invigilator accused Moore Emmanuel of using an Android phone during the examination. The Committee observed in its report that Emmanuel committed "Examination Malpractice with the use of Handset after repeated warning contrary to the University hand book Section 10."

The Committee, however, recommended that he should be expelled.

"Based on the rule of University of Section 10. He is recommended for expulsion in accordance to the rule guiding examination processes of the University," the Committee said.

For Bassey Gold Okon, the invigilator booked her for using an iPhone 13 during the examination. In the committee's investigation, it observed "examination Malpractice with the use of iPhone 13 despite repeated announcements." Subsequently, it recommended that the student should be expelled, according to the University handed rule No. 10."

However, sources stated that Okon's relationship with Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, influenced the decision to grant her amnesty, sparking allegations of favouritism and nepotism.

Another university source disclosed that the sweeping amnesty was granted by the management primarily because of Bassey Gold Okon.

"The only reason for the reinstatement is because of the girl. In the school, we have a few that are affected, and all of them have not bothered to return. In fact, most of them have gained admission somewhere else. It is only the lady (Bassey Gold Okon) that was coming and threatening the management because of her influence," the source said.

The decision has raised eyebrows, with some members of the university community questioning the institution's integrity.

"Are you a specialist in examination malpractice? Just go to University of Abuja, and if you are caught, you will definitely get amnesty!" one critic remarked.

SaharaReporters reported that in 2019, the University of Abuja expelled over 100 students for examination misconduct—72 undergraduates and 28 postgraduates—as part of efforts to uphold academic discipline and protect the integrity of its programs.

When SaharaReporters contacted the Director of Public Relations, Dr. Habibi Yakoob, he said he was not aware of the matter but promised to make inquiries and respond. However, as of the time of filing this report, he had yet to do so.