The newly created Federal University of Education, Pankshin, in Plateau State, has exposed a racket involved in the production and issuance of fake academic results and certificates, resulting in the conviction of two individuals.
The institution’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Jere Ndazhaga, made this known at a press briefing in Jos on Monday, stating that the convicts—Friday Tunkyes and Harvey Obed Ringsum—were each sentenced to one and a half years in prison.
According to Ndazhaga, the suspects were apprehended after a questionable certificate was submitted to the university’s Examinations and Records Unit, triggering an investigation that uncovered several forged certificates and official embossing seals.
“I have been overseeing the affairs of the institution for the past four months. it is important to state clearly that the University recently uncovered a nefarious activity of a syndicate specialised in forging, faking, altering academic results and issuing the same purportedly to have been issued by the defunct Federal College of Education, Pankshin.
“This development is both disturbing and unacceptable to the University management,” he said.
According to the VC, the incident came to light when an individual presented a suspicious certificate at the Examinations and Records Section of the University with a complaint that the result failed to be uploaded on the JAMB portal.
Due to the vigilance, professionalism, and high level of sensitivity of the staff on duty, inconsistencies were immediately observed.
The matter was promptly escalated to the University Security Unit, where further details emerged and in turn contacted the Divisional Police Office, Pankshin.
Following preliminary investigations, it was said that the case was formally reported to the State Intelligence Department (SID) on Monday, 17th November, 2025, at about 4:30 pm, based on credible intelligence that criminal elements were producing fake results and certificates bearing the name of the University.
“Subsequent undercover security operations led to the arrest of Mr. Friday Tunkyes (male) of Mikang Local Government Area on Tuesday, 18th November, 2025.
“This arrest further resulted in the apprehension of another suspect, Mr. Harvey Obed Ringsum (male) of Mangu Local Government Area, on Wednesday, 19th November, 2025.
“During the operation, numerous forged certificates of various academic qualifications and official emboss stamp of the institution were recovered from the suspect,” he said.
He stated that following investigations, arraignment, and due legal process, the two suspects were found guilty, convicted by a competent court of law and sentenced to one and a half (1½) years imprisonment each.
The VC said they are currently serving their sentences at a Correctional Centre.
“This development is both disturbing and unacceptable to the University management.
“This action is intended to serve as a strong deterrent to others who may contemplate similar criminal acts,” Ndazhaga said.
The Vice-Chancellor warned organisations and employers to verify certificates claimed to have been issued by the university, emphasising that “there is no shortcut to knowledge” and that the institution is committed to producing graduates with integrity.
He called on the public to report suspicious activities undermining education, saying, “together, we can protect the credibility of our institutions and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
“The motto of the Federal University of Education, Pankshin is ‘EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE.’ Every genuine certificate issued by this institution represents years of rigorous academic training, character formation, and integrity.
“We will not tolerate any act capable of tarnishing the image of the University or undermining the value of education.
“As a growing institution, the University is committed to becoming a top-tier centre of academic excellence, dedicated to producing graduates who are innovators, problem-solvers, and responsible citizens not purveyors of crime,” the VC added.