The newly established Federal University of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State, has uncovered a result and certificate forging syndicate operating in its name, leading to the conviction and imprisonment of two men.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Jere Ndazhaga, disclosed this at a press briefing on Monday in Jos, saying the convicts—Friday Tunkyes and Harvey Obed Ringsum—were sentenced to one and a half years’ imprisonment each.

“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, altering academic results and issuing the same purportedly to have been issued by the defunct Federal College of Education, Pankshin,” Ndazhaga said.

He said the syndicate was exposed after a suspicious academic certificate was presented at the university’s Examinations and Records Section by an individual who complained that the result had not been uploaded on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal.

According to him, vigilant staff detected inconsistencies in the document and immediately escalated the matter to the university’s Security Unit, which subsequently contacted the Divisional Police Office in Pankshin.

“The case was formally reported to the State Intelligence Department on Monday, 17 November 2025, following intelligence that criminal elements were producing fake results and certificates bearing the name of the institution” he said

Ndazhaga said investigators recovered several forged certificates of various academic qualifications and the official emboss stamp of the university from the suspects.

After investigations, arraignment and due legal process, he said the two men were found guilty and sentenced to one and a half years’ imprisonment each.

They are currently serving their sentences at a correctional centre.

He described the development as disturbing and unacceptable, noting that the action taken was meant to serve as a strong deterrent to others.

The Vice-Chancellor warned employers and organisations to verify certificates purportedly issued by the university, stressing that the institution remains committed to integrity and academic excellence.

He also called on the public to report suspicious activities that undermine the education system, adding that the university would not tolerate any act capable of tarnishing its image or the value of education.