Barely four months after assuming office, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education (FUE), Pankshin, Prof. Jere Ndazhaga, has uncovered a syndicate involved in the forgery and issuance of fake academic results and certificates purportedly linked to the institution, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of two suspects.
Ndazhaga disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Jos, describing the development as a critical test of the University’s commitment to transparency, accountability and institutional reform following its recent upgrade from a Federal College of Education to a full-fledged university.
He explained that the fraud was detected after an individual presented a suspicious certificate at the University’s Examinations and Records Section, claiming that the result could not be uploaded on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, “The vigilance and professionalism of our staff led to the immediate detection of inconsistencies on the document. What initially appeared to be a simple complaint turned out to be the exposure of a coordinated syndicate specialising in the forging, alteration and issuance of fake academic results and certificates falsely attributed to this institution.”
Ndazhaga said the University promptly activated its internal security mechanisms and reported the matter to the State Intelligence Department on November 17, 2025, following credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.
Undercover operations subsequently led to the arrest of Mr. Friday Tunkyes of Mikang Local Government Area on November 18, 2025, while Mr. Harvey Obed Ringsum of Mangu Local Government Area was apprehended the following day.
“Several forged certificates of various academic qualifications, as well as the official emboss stamp of the institution, were recovered from the suspects. This confirmed the organised nature of the criminal network and its intention to undermine the credibility of our academic system,”he said.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the suspects were investigated and prosecuted by the Nigeria Police Force and were subsequently convicted by a competent court of law.
“After due investigation, arraignment and completion of all legal processes, the suspects were found guilty and sentenced to one and a half years’ imprisonment each. They are currently serving their sentences at a correctional centre. This outcome sends a clear message that academic fraud will not be tolerated under our watch,” Ndazhaga stated.
Reflecting on his four months in office, the Vice-Chancellor said the incident underscored the importance of vigilance and institutional discipline at a time when the University is repositioning itself as a centre of academic excellence.
“There is no shortcut to knowledge. Every genuine certificate issued by this University represents years of rigorous academic training, character formation and integrity. As a new University, we are determined to build a system founded on credibility, excellence in service and zero tolerance for any act capable of tarnishing our image,” he said.
Ndazhaga called on employers, institutions and the general public to always verify academic certificates presented for official purposes and to promptly report suspicious activities capable of undermining the sanctity of education.
