UNICAL Management Exposed The Criminal Act Of Certificate Scam, Not NYSC, Says Authourities
Ndifereke BASSEY
The authorities of University of Calabar has stated equivocally that they exposed the criminal act of certificate forgery and brought it to the attention of NYSC and other organisations, and not the other way round.
NYSC had on Monday disclosed that 101 of UNICAL undergraduates had fake certificates and has subsequently invalidated their certificates.
In a statement issued by Registrar & Secretary to Council, Gabriel O. Egbe, on the directive of Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, and dated August 13, 2024, the management noted that it was the University Management that exposed this criminal act and brought it to the attention of NYSC and other organisations, and not the other way round.
The statement read in part: "In September 2023, internal sources brought to our attention that a certain individual who had not graduated was on national service purportedly from our institution.W e quickly launched an investigation which confirmed the allegation and revealed 10 more cases of infiltration of the NYSC portal.
"Arising from this report, we wrote on 4th October, 2023 to NYSC appealing that those 11 persons involved be apprehended and prosecuted.
On the 24th of October NYSC responded in line with our resolve to launch a full scale investigation into the issue.
"On Oct. 31, the University wrote to ICPC Uyo Resident Office inviting the agency to wade into the matter. Though management had agreed to work quietly with NYSC and security agencies to apprehend the culprits, we had to set up a full scale investigative committee due to unfolding events.
"The committee concluded its work on December 18, 2023. Meanwhile, NYSC was notified on the 5th of November of the committee.
UNICAL reported 178 unqualified graduates to NYSC in 2023, urges scheme to release remaining 85 names "The University of Calabar has commended the NYSC for releasing names of 93 unqualified persons that were fraudulently mobilized for the one year National Youth Service Scheme following a complaint launched by the university in 2023."
Explaining further, the University, Registrar, Mr Gabriel Egbe, said it was the university management that exposed the criminal act and brought it to the attention of NYSC and other organizations, and not the other way round.
According to the institution, the action taken by NYSC would be a helpful step towards dealing a crushing blow on criminal impunity and desperation, commending the Corps for this move.
"We cherish NYSC as a partner in progress and wish to use this opportunity to appreciate and re-state our commitment to working with the Corps and other relevant agencies to unravel the source of infiltration of the mobilization portal that is strictly regulated by NYSC." the statement further sated.
