UNICAL HOD suspended for altering exam scores

Dr Joseph Akpan, Head of Department (HOD) of Pharmacology, University of Calabar (UNICAL) has been suspended for altering examination scores.

CONVERSEER learned that the course Dr Akpan altered the exam scores is “Introduction to General Antimicrobial Pharmacology (PHM 311).”

Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University, who revealed the malfeasance on Wednesday, 10th October, said out of 242 examination scripts marked by the HOD, 235 were altered.

According to Prof. Obi, Akpan also gave out marks to two students who did not participate in the examinationsexaminations, while adding that only five scripts were genuinely marked without alteration.

Obi further stated that in Akpan’s defence before the Senate Examination Misconduct Committee (SEMC), he admitted that he inflated the scores of students in PHM 311 to “Protect the image of the Department” – which the management finds ridiculous and unacceptable.

The Vice-Chancellor said: “Consequently, the management of the University has directed that he should be relieved of his appointment as HOD and Coordinator of PHM 311, as well as suspended from duty with effect from 8th October 2024.

“While Dr Joseph Akpan’s official responsibilities are to be reassigned to other qualified lecturers in the department, he has been further directed to stay away from the University forthwith unless while responding to the invitation of relevant committees.”

CONVERSEER reports that this is the second time an HOD has been sacked/suspended in less than 6 months. The other was Prof. Victor Ecoma, who was relieved of his appointment as the Head of Department (HOD) Fine and Applied Arts, for failing to present students for convocation.