News

WAEC Arrests Over 20 Exam Officials For Malpractice

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2023

No fewer than 20 school officials, allegedly aiding and abetting examination malpractice, have been arrested by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in its ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.

The Council said that the arrests were made in various parts of the country.

The Head, National Office (HNO) of council, Mr Patrick Areghan, disclosed this on the sidelines of a monitoring exercise he carried out in some schools on Thursday in Lagos.

According to him, the WAEC has since handed over all the culprits to the police for prosecution.

Areghan vowed that the council would do everything possible to ensure that their prosecution was followed to logical conclusion.

“The issue of examination malpractice can no longer be treated with kid gloves.

“It is no longer business as usual, as it has completely eroded morals and values in our society. It is taking a dangerous dimension, of which, if not tackled will bring our country to its knees.

“Now, since the commencement of this examination, we have deployed our technology, designed to catch examination cheats and we are happy at the results we have gotten so far.

“For instance, in Ibadan, Oyo, where we have our zonal office, which takes care of Osun, Kwara and Oyo itself, we made three arrests in a school and for the purpose of confidentiality, I will not mention the name.

“There, a supervisor at a centre, principal and invigilator were all arrested.They were arrested for allegedly snapping and posting the questions to some platforms, thereby, aiding and abetting examination malpractices.’’

He said: “Then, in Maiduguri, a supervisor and principal of a school, were both arrested and handed over to the police too.

“In Umuahia, a teacher and a supervisor were arrested in a particular school and they have been handed over to the police.

“In Abeokuta, a school proprietor was the first to be caught at the beginning of this examination on May 8, snapping and posting question papers,” he said.

Areghan described the act as a monumental disgrace.

The WAEC official, said that the proprietor and a supervisor had since been arrested and also handed over to the police.

He further disclosed that the same situation was also recorded at

Osogbo, where a principal, invigilator and chief supervisor were arrested for the same offence.

According to him, in Kaduna too, a supervisor and an examination official in a school who were caught in the act, were arrested and handed over to the police.

He explained that the school, which was ceded to Kaduna was supposed to be Kano, but was ceded because it was closer to Kaduna.

Areghan said that the arrests would continue until the end of the examination.

He urged candidates not allow their future to be compromised by persons who did not wish them well, by promising to assist them pass their examination through illegal means, stressing that WAEC’s examinations could never be accessed illegally.

According to him, all of the culprits caught in the act may have been paid by the unsuspecting candidates and their parents, promising to assist them pass the examination.

“I want to counter this statement that some people are fond of making, which is that our examination questions always leak.

“That does not exist. Our examination is always safe and secured until they get to the candidates in the hall.”

He asserted that WAEC examination questions don’t ever leak and cautioned the media to stop using the word “leak”.

“What actually happens is that, once the examination is about to start, we give the question papers to the supervisors, one hour before commencement, so that they can travel from the collection point, to the various schools, where they will administer the examination.

“What happens?

“Immediately they get to the exam hall, they will open the pack in the name of distributing to candidates and they will snap and post to various designated platforms- WhatsApp, Instagram and others.

“Such persons are members of a syndicate group who collect money,’’ he said.

According to him, once the examination is already in progress, anyone that takes pictures of the papers and posts will be detected.

Areghan noted that the council had a method of detecting who snapped, who posted, who it was posted to and which candidate’s question booklet was posted.

According to him, that is when the council swings to action by rounding all of them up and subsequently handing them over to the police.

“You have been following me around for this monitoring

“You saw me telling these children that they will hardly have time to access any materials snapped and posted on any platforms because they are already in the hall writing the examination.

“From what we have seen so far today at the schools we visited, I will say that the examination has been going on smoothly. There has not been any challenge beyond our control.

“Of course you will come across persons who will want to prove smart by cutting corners and trying to get things done unethically, but we have been able to beat them to it.

“There are though, some that we do not bother ourselves with, as we will deal with such administratively.’’

He noted that only hard work was the way out to a stable and progressive country, adding that schools should continue to stick to academic excellence and nothing less, in order to sustain quality education.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that schools visited for the monitoring on Thursday included ST and T in Ikeja, Ikeja Senior High School as well as State Senior High School among others.

News

JUST IN Ex-CJN, Mohammed Uwais, Is Dead

Published

10 hours ago

June 6, 2025

Editor

A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, has died at the age of 88.

The former CJN died in the early hours of Friday, according to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Dr Kayode Ajulo.

Uwais served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 until his retirement in 2006.

Following his retirement, he chaired the Presidential Electoral Reform Committee inaugurated by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

The committee included prominent figures such as Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and human rights lawyer, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced. Tributes from legal, political, and civic leaders are expected to pour in over the coming days.

More to come…

News

Eid al-Adha: We’ll Work Tirelessly To Ensure A Safer Edo – Okpebholo

Published

11 hours ago

June 6, 2025

Editor

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has expressed his administration’s commitment to the safety and security of lives and property across the state.

Speaking during a visit by Muslim faithful to the New Festival Hall, Government House, in celebration of Eid al-Adha, Okpebholo, who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, emphasized that the present administration remains focused on building a secure and prosperous Edo.

“Our administration is fully committed to the welfare and well-being of all citizens. Security remains the bedrock of any thriving society, and we are working tirelessly to ensure that lives and property are protected across Edo State,” he stated.

He urged citizens to reflect on the values of Eid al-Adha — unity, love, sacrifice, and peace — and to continue to uphold the shared values that promote harmony across religious and ethnic lines.

“As we celebrate, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to building a society that is inclusive, tolerant, peaceful, and respectful of all cultures and faiths. Let us extend hands of support to the less privileged, sharing and giving to make the season meaningful for all,” the governor added.

Okpebholo also appealed to parents to preach peace to their children and discourage them from engaging in cultism, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality.

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Benin, Alhaji Abdulfatai Enabulele, commended Governor Okpebholo for the developmental strides recorded in his first six months in office. He lauded the governor’s strategies in combating cultism, kidnapping, and criminal activities, noting that they have contributed significantly to the peace currently being enjoyed across the state.

Alhaji Enabulele also urged those involved in criminal activities to embrace more progressive ideas and support government efforts toward sustainable development.

He expressed gratitude to the governor for his benevolence and support to the Muslim community, which he said has made the Eid celebration more enjoyable.

He further advised that major routes into the state be better secured through the use of vigilante groups, and called on the government to ensure grassroots implementation of the five-point “Agada” plan for inclusive development.

Edesili Anani Okpebholo, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, described the celebration as a reminder of the importance of love and sacrifice. She urged citizens to make kindness and selflessness a daily habit, especially toward the less privileged.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, praised Governor Okpebholo for his leadership, fairness, and commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy.

“The governor is a man of vision, focused on project-based leadership that aims to improve the lives of our people,” he said.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, also acknowledged the contributions of the Muslim community in fostering peace and supporting the government’s efforts.

He assured that the Okpebholo-led administration would continue on its path of visible and impactful development.

“In just six months, the governor has demonstrated a practical and people-focused approach to governance. The projects so far embarked upon directly impact the lives of citizens, and there’s more to come,” Ohonbamu noted.

News

JUST IN: Akwa Ibom Gov Dumps PDP For APC

Published

12 hours ago

June 6, 2025

Editor

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

He made this known during an official announcement on Friday at the Government House in Uyo, the state capital.

The governor said the decision followed “three months of wide consultation” with critical stakeholders across the state.

Eno expressed his gratitude to the PDP for their support during his tenure, stating that it was time for him to make a progressive move.

The governor said he decided to join the APC, citing his admiration for President Bola Tinubu and the need for Akwa Ibom State to align with the federal government to reap continuous benefits.

Eno also assured the people of Akwa Ibom State that he would continue to work tirelessly for their benefit, regardless of party affiliation.

He said, “After completing the rounds of my consultation as your servant whom you have elected to serve, I have therefore decided to progressively move to the APC.

”We’re joining the APC today in the state interest and because of our critical admiration and respect for President Tinubu and to provide the needed support for Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

”We are not joing the APC from the position of weakness but from the position of strength and alive. We are joining the APC out of a need to align our state with the center.”

Some of the APC Governors who attended the event included the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo) and Bassey Otu (Cross River), among others.