Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, has taken stern action against 15 final-year law students for their involvement in various forms of examination malpractice.
Among those expelled were a Catholic priest from Orlu Diocese, whose name was withheld, and a lecturer from the university’s Department of Management Sciences.
A reliable source within the university revealed to Sahara Reporters, under the condition of anonymity, that the announcement of the expulsion was made just before Christmas Day.
The source mentioned that an official from the institution spearheading the expulsion threatened legal action against the university’s management if the decision was not ratified.
Though the source regarded the expulsion as severe, they acknowledged the guilt of the affected students.
While admitting the wrongdoing of the expelled students, the source emphasized that singling out these 15 individuals might not be fair, as many other students, across various departments, were also involved in similar malpractices.
“The Catholic priest hired a ‘mercenary’ to take an examination on his behalf. According to him, the insecurity in the Orlu axis of the state stopped him from travelling to Owerri to sit the examination.
“The Reverend Father was said to be driving to Owerri when his vehicle was shot at by unknown gunmen leading to his inability to eventually present himself at the examination hall on the fateful day.
“Also, the cabal that championed the expulsion opposed the female lecturer studying law whilst in the employment of the same university,” the source disclosed.
When reached for comment, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Sir Ralph Njoku-Obi, mentioned having no information on the matter at that time.