By Comfort Asemota
The newly established Federal University of Education, Pankshin (FUEP) in Plateau State has exposed a criminal syndicate involved in forging and issuing fake academic results and certificates, resulting in the imprisonment of two men.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jere Ndazhaga, disclosed the development during a press conference in Jos on Monday. The convicted individuals, Friday Tunkyes and Harvey Obed Ringsum, were each sentenced to one and a half years in prison.
Professor Ndazhaga explained that the investigation began after a suspicious certificate was presented at the University’s Examinations and Records Section, prompting further scrutiny. This led to the recovery of multiple forged certificates and official emboss stamps.
“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, and altering academic results, claiming them to have been issued by the former Federal College of Education, Pankshin,” Ndazhaga said.
The VC highlighted that the alertness and professionalism of university staff helped uncover inconsistencies in the certificate, which were then escalated to the University Security Unit and subsequently to the Divisional Police Office in Pankshin.
Further investigations led to the involvement of the State Intelligence Department (SID), which carried out undercover operations resulting in the arrests of Tunkyes on November 18, 2025, and Ringsum on November 19, 2025. Numerous forged academic certificates and official university emboss stamps were seized during these operations.
Following a formal investigation and court proceedings, both suspects were convicted and are currently serving their sentences at a Correctional Centre.
“This development is both disturbing and unacceptable to the University management,” Ndazhaga said, adding that the action is meant to serve as a strong deterrent to others who may contemplate similar criminal acts.
The Vice-Chancellor also urged organisations and employers to verify the authenticity of certificates claimed to have been issued by FUEP. He emphasised that the university remains committed to producing graduates with integrity and warned that fraudulent activities will not be tolerated.
“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,” Ndazhaga said. “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.”
