JAMB Cancels Results In 2 Fraudulent CBT Centers; Arrests Over 100 People

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Monday, April 22nd, 2019

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cancelled the results of two Computer Based (CBT) centres in Abia State engaged in its 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) over what it described as “widespread irregularities” during the exercise.

Similarly, the body disclosed in its weekly Bulletin released in Abuja Monday by its Head, (Media and Public Relations) Dr Fabian Benjamin that no fewer than 100 examination cheats have so far been arrested by security operatives across the country during the just concluded UTME.

Dr. Benjamin alleged that the suspected fraudsters were engaged in multiple registrations to facilitate impersonation during the examination.

JAMB gave the names of the affected CBT centres as Heritage and Infinity CBT centre and Okwyzil Computer Institute Comprehensive School Ugwunabo, Aba, Abia.

It said the drastic action was necessitated by the visual evidence obtained from a careful review of the CCTV recordings by a panel of experts engaged by the board.

“However, in order not to unduly punish honest and hardworking candidates who found themselves attached to these two centres, the board magnanimously relocated all the candidates who had taken or were scheduled to take their examination in the two centres to other centres where they had subsequently taken their examinations,” the clarified.

The examination body however apologized to innocent candidates involved in the relocation for the inconveniences they may have suffered, reaffirming its commitment to providing equal opportunity to all candidates to articulate their hopes and aspirations.

The body confirmed that all the results of the examination sessions conducted by the board in the two centres from April 11 to 18 were null and void.

On the cheats, JAMB noted that the act was inflating annual registration of the UTME exercise by up to 30 per cent.

It also said that data available to it showed that the unwholesome practice was prevalent in virtually all the states of the federation, including Abuja.

Among the persons arrested was a notorious cheat who had registered about 64 times in a bid to “ghost-write” for 64 candidates.

The examination body said the arrest of the culprits was made possible by the comprehensive and mandatory identity checks conducted on those taking the examination with a view to fishing out professional ghost writers before the release of the results.

JAMB Spokesperson said Sunday that the delay in the release of the result of the examination which ended last week Wednesday – April 18, was due to CCTV viewing and checking of the conduct of the examination at the accredited CBT centers across the country.

Dr. Fabian said the results were ready, but would not be released until the board is through with its check. He also said the checking of result has been simplified as there would be no need for the candidates to visit café, but have the outcome on their examinations via designated GSM line.

The body has confirmed that over 1.8 million candidates registered for the year’s UTME. The exercise was conducted from April 11 to 18 nationwide.