The management of Abia State University has suspended a senior lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. KC Izuogo, over allegations of student extortion and the use of fake academic credentials.
The suspension followed claims that the lecturer allegedly forced students to pay money to pass courses and compelled them to buy handouts before being allowed to succeed academically.
Reports also alleged that students who refused to comply were deliberately failed.
Education advocate Alex Onyia revealed the allegations in a post on X, claiming investigations by the Abia State Government uncovered irregularities in the lecturer’s academic records, including alleged fake WAEC, BSc and PhD certificates.
According to the claims, the lecturer allegedly operated in the university system for years without valid qualifications while intimidating and exploiting students financially.
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The controversy comes amid wider accusations of corruption and “sorting” within ABSU, particularly in the Mass Communication and Electrical Engineering departments.
Students and parents previously accused some lecturers of demanding payments before marking examination scripts and forcing students to purchase overpriced digital handouts.
Some students alleged they paid as much as ₦20,000 to avoid carryovers, while course representatives were reportedly used to coordinate collections from students.
Concerned parents and residents also expressed frustration over the growing financial burden on students, especially amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Authorities in Abia State have reportedly pledged to intensify investigations and remove anyone found with fake credentials while addressing extortion, victimisation and sex-for-grades allegations within the institution.
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