Breaking: ICPC Chairman Initiates Probe Into Alleged-Fake Degrees, Exposed By Undercover Reporter (Details)

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, has engaged with undercover reporter Umar Audu, who recently uncovered a scandal involving counterfeit degrees issued by purported mushroom universities in Benin and Togo. The ICPC sought crucial information from Audu to aid their investigation into the widespread academic fraud….CONTINUE READING

In a report released on December 30, 2023, Ireporteronline disclosed how corrupt government employees facilitated the illicit business of certificate racketeering. Umar Audu, a reporter from Ecole Supérieure de Gestion et de Technologies (ESGT) in Cotonou, Benin Republic, allegedly completed a four-year curriculum in less than two months without any formal application, registration, study, or examinations.

Despite never crossing Nigerian borders, Audu’s passport was stamped by both Nigerian and Beninois immigration officials, allowing him to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu convened a crucial meeting at the ICPC headquarters with the reporter, aiming to deepen the investigation and take relevant actions.

ICPC spokesperson Azuka Ogugua stated, “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. The ICPC is embarking on a thorough investigation to examine networks and individuals engaged in these malpractices, with the objective of restoring and preserving the integrity of our educational system.”

Furthermore, the ICPC will collaborate with relevant domestic and international bodies to assess the legitimacy of academic qualifications procured from overseas institutions, particularly those highlighted in the investigative report. The Federal Ministry of Education, in response, has suspended the accreditation of degrees from Benin and Togo, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to ensure the unimpeachable credibility of educational qualifications and eradicate corruption from the system.