ESUT sacks 6 staff over certificate forgery, sexual harassment, academic fraud, others

ENUGU—The Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, on Wednesday, dismissed six staff of the University over their alleged involvement in certificate forgery, sexual harassment, academic fraud among other offences.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, disclosed this during a press briefing at Agbani, Enugu State.

He stated that the dismissal was sequel to the decisions reached during the 179th meeting of the University’s Governing Council  which was chaired by the Pro-Chancellor, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa.

According to the Vice Chancellor, other offences which led to the dismissal of the staff include: extortion, manipulation of results, keeping of two full-time jobs, involvement in the preparation of fake transcripts and misappropriation of fund in the tune of N98,259,314.65.

He further stated that the Governing Council of the University frowned at the increasing involvement of staff in fraudulent practices, adding that it has directed the Management of the University to take stern measures to reduce the vices to the barest minimum.

“Council frowned at the spate of examination malpractices and directed Management to apply appropriate sanctions to concerned students, including their collaborators accordingly. Council also directed the Vice Chancellor to ensure immediate conclusion of disciplinary issues and to henceforth, adopt shame strategy in dealing with such matters,” he added.

The Vice Chancellor further stated that the University Management would hand the culprits over to law enforcement agents for proper prosecution and punishment.

While commending the state Governor, Barr. Peter Mbah, for providing needed equipment and support which ensured successful accreditation of Nursing Sciences and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science programmes, and for availing funds for the purchase of equipment and resource materials for the proposed resource verification of three new programmmes (Public Health, Radiography and Human Nutrition and Dietetics), he assured that the Council is committed to implementing the disruptive innovative goals of the Governor.

He further announced the promotion of 18 staff of the University to Professors, and 22 others to Readers.