The Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Commission has arraigned two employees of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, over alleged involvement in examination result manipulation and forgery.
The defendants, Segun Olowoyo, a lecturer in the institution’s Language Department, and Saka Olokungboye, a non-academic staff member and Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics in the institution, were brought before an Akure Magistrate’s Court on separate charges.
According to the prosecution, the duo allegedly conspired with another suspect who remains at large to forge the examination results of a National Diploma II spillover student in the Department of Public Administration during the 2022/2023 academic session.
Prosecuting counsel, Afolabi Ahmed, told the court that the alleged offences were committed in February 2023 within the Owo Magisterial District.
He alleged that the accused persons manipulated the second-semester results of a student identified as Iremide Fadimiluyi, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State.
The prosecutor added that the offences allegedly violated Sections 516 and 467 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Ahmed informed the court that the prosecution had lined up three witnesses to testify during the trial.
Ruling on the bail applications, Magistrate O.T. Lebi admitted Olowoyo to bail in the sum of N1m with one surety in like sum, while Olokungboye was granted bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The court further directed that at least one of the sureties must be a staff member of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till July 2026 for hearing.
Meanwhile, the anti-corruption commission disclosed that its investigation uncovered alleged widespread irregularities surrounding examination records at the institution.
The commission alleged that Olowoyo awarded scores in a Communication in English course to some students who did not participate in the examination, including the student at the centre of the case.
It further identified Olokungboye as an alleged collaborator in the misconduct.
Speaking on the development, the Secretary of the commission, Prof. Adewole Adeyeye, said the prosecution reflected the agency’s resolve to tackle corruption and unethical practices within public institutions.
He noted that the case would be pursued diligently to discourage similar acts and strengthen confidence in the integrity of state-owned tertiary institutions.
The commission also criticised the institution’s internal oversight mechanism, alleging that officials responsible for reviewing examination results failed to detect the irregularities before approval.
The arraignment comes amid increasing calls for accountability in higher institutions, as stakeholders continue to express concern over practices capable of undermining the credibility of academic qualifications and the education system.