The University of Calabar (UniCal) has suspended one of its senior staff, Joseph Akpan, for allegedly altering the exam scores of students. This was made public by the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, during a statement in Calabar.

“The lecturer also (allegedly) gave out marks to two students, who did not participate in the examinations,” she said, adding that only five scripts were genuinely marked without alteration.

Joseph Akpan, who held the position of Head of the Pharmacology Department, is accused of tampering with 235 exam result scripts. These scripts were from the course “Introduction to General Antimicrobial Pharmacology” (PHM 311). Out of the 242 total scripts in his care, he allegedly changed scores in 235 of them.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, Akpan admitted to this misconduct in front of the Senate Examination Misconduct Committee (SEMC). He claimed that his actions were intended to protect the image of his department. However, the university leadership found this excuse unacceptable and took immediate action by suspending him.

“Consequently, the management of the University has directed that he should be relieved of his appointment as HOD and Coordinator of PHM 311, as well as suspended from duty with effect from Oct. 8, 2024.

“Akpan’s official responsibilities are to be reassigned to other qualified lecturers in the department.

“He has also been directed to stay away from the university forthwith unless while responding to the invitation of relevant committees,” she said

This incident has raised concerns about the integrity of academic processes at UniCal, with the university promising to take strong steps to prevent similar cases in the future.