The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Florence Obi, has confirmed the suspension of Joseph Akpan, a senior lecturer and Head of the Pharmacology Department, for manipulating the exam scores of an astonishing 235 students.
Akpan, who oversaw the "Introduction to General Antimicrobial Pharmacology" (PHM 311) course, stands accused of tampering with 235 out of 242 exam scripts under his supervision. The manipulation was so extensive that only five scripts were left unaltered, according to Prof. Obi.
The scandal intensified after it was revealed that two students who did not even sit for the examination were awarded marks, raising serious questions about the integrity of the department’s grading process. Akpan reportedly confessed to the misconduct during a hearing with the university's Senate Examination Misconduct Committee (SEMC), further fueling the controversy.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, Prof. Obi expressed the university’s deep dismay over the situation, labeling Akpan’s actions as "ridiculous and unacceptable." She revealed that in his confession, Akpan attempted to justify his score tampering by claiming that he inflated the grades to "protect the department’s image." However, the university found this excuse untenable and swiftly took decisive action.
“As a result of these actions, the university has decided to relieve Akpan of his roles as HOD and Coordinator of PHM 311, effective October 8, 2024,” Prof. Obi stated.
Akpan has since been suspended from his duties and barred from stepping foot on university grounds, except when summoned by relevant committees for further investigation. His responsibilities as Head of Department and course coordinator will be reassigned to other qualified faculty members.
The Vice-Chancellor reassured the public that UNICAL remains committed to upholding the highest academic standards and will not tolerate any form of misconduct, especially one that undermines the integrity of its examination processes.
This scandal marks one of the most high-profile academic misconduct cases in recent history at the institution, with students, staff, and stakeholders now closely monitoring the situation as the university moves to clean up the mess left behind by the disgraced lecturer. The university’s decision to suspend Akpan sends a strong message that corruption in any form will not be tolerated within its walls.
