The University of Calabar (UniCal) has suspended Joseph Akpan, a lecturer and Head of the Department of Pharmacology, amid allegations of misconduct. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Florence Obi announced the suspension on Wednesday in Calabar.
Akpan allegedly altered 235 examination result scripts, misusing his position as HOD. Specifically, he modified scores in the Introduction to General Antimicrobial Pharmacology (PHM 311) course. Out of the 242 result scripts entrusted to him, only five were reportedly marked without alteration.
The Vice-Chancellor claimed that Akpan not only changed scores but also awarded marks to two students who did not participate in the examinations. She mentioned that the lecturer admitted his misconduct to the Senate Examination Misconduct Committee (SEMC), stating he inflated scores to protect the department’s image—an explanation the management found both ridiculous and unacceptable.
As a result, the university has directed that Akpan be relieved of his duties as HOD and Coordinator of PHM 311. He has been suspended from duty effective October 8, 2024. The university management will reassign his responsibilities to other qualified lecturers in the department.
Additionally, Akpan has been instructed to stay away from the university, except when responding to invitations from relevant committees.
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