In a riveting turn of events on the trending certificate racketeering issue, the former National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President for Benin Republic, Ugochukwu Favour, has fervently demanded the arrest of undercover reporter, Umar Audu.
The investigative journalist boldly unravelled a web of corruption surrounding certificate issuance from a school in Cotonou, Benin Republic, igniting a fierce debate.
In a candid interview on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, Favour castigated Audu for acquiring stamped passports and certificates without a physical presence, emphasizing the audacity of such actions.
He questioned the reporter’s dual service in 2019 and 2023, adding layers to the controversy.
The former NANS President asserted that Audu’s exposé inadvertently implicates the government, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and immigration.
He vehemently insisted on Audu’s arrest, stating that the reporter, while attempting to clarify matters, unwittingly implicated authorities.
When queried about the potential benefits of Audu’s investigation in exposing systemic flaws, Favour cautiously acknowledged its relevance.
However, he urged swift government intervention to address the exposed irregularities.
Recall that Audu’s investigative report titled “How Daily Nigerian reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks” came to the forefront in the last days of 2023.
Audu revealed a certificate racketeering syndicate in neighbouring African countries like Benin Republic and Togo, selling degrees to Nigerian buyers.
In the report, Audu shared how he received a degree from a Cotonou-based university in just six weeks, likening the process to ordering pizza.
This exposé forced the Federal Government to suspend the accreditation of certificates from Benin Republic and Togo.
However, Favour argued for leniency over the ban on certificate validation, noting the presence of 15,000 Nigerian students in Benin.
He urged the government to consider legitimate students and probed the matter through a committee to curb future occurrences.
As the controversy deepened, Education Minister Tahir Mamman declared the government’s intent to go after Nigerians with fake degree certificates.
The dragnet, initially cast over Benin Republic and Togo, is poised to extend to other African countries, signalling a broader crackdown on certificate fraud.