JUPEB Scam: 48 lecturers, security officers, others detained over exams leakage

*Security operatives in a joint ‘Operation Combo’ have arrested the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) fraud suspects from Wellspring University Christopher University and Crown-Hill University located in Benin, Ogun and Kwara States respectively

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Following alleged irregularities in the conduct of tests by the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) have detained 48 individuals, including lecturers and security personnel.

ConsumerConnect reports JUPEB is an advanced level educational examination that qualifies candidates for admissions into 200-Level in Nigerian or foreign universities through Direct Entry (DE).

The examination is coordinated by the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and has about 10 accredited universities for the arrangement.

The ICPC and DSS, in a recent joint operation tagged: ‘Combo’, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, effected the arrest of lecturers, security officers, workers, and students from some of the participating universities in the country.

ICPC and DSS operatives simultaneously carried out ‘Operation Combo’ in seven states, following extensive monitoring of tutorial schools apparently marked for compromising JUPEB examinations in Nigeria.

Ms. Azuka Ogugua, Spokesperson of ICPC, in a statement said: “This has led to the arrest of the President of Tutorial School Owners (ATSO).”

The anti-corruption agency stated the exam fraud suspects were arrested from Wellspring University, Benin, in Edo State; Christopher University, Mowe, in Ogun State; and Crown-Hill University, Ilorin, in Kwara State.

The ICPC noted: “Credible intelligence gathered during the operations showed active connivance of parents of the students and management of the universities.

“Three current Vice-Chancellors have been invited by ICPC for their roles in the malpractices.”

The investigation revealed that syndicated social media platforms were created by the facilitators for leaking questions and circulating answers to students for a fee during examinations, Ogugua stated.

The Spokesperson added: “Investigation also revealed that candidates, who are mostly minors, allegedly paid between N350,000 to (and) N500,000 each to the suspects in the various tutorial schools to engage in the illegalities.”