Exam fraud: I was caught as student, not staff, Don tells court

Suspended Acting Head of Department of Jurisprudence and International Law at the University of Jos, Benedicta Dauda has denied that she was caught cheating in an examination as a staff of the university.

She told a National Industrial Court in Abuja that she was running the course in the Political Science Department with her private time and did not need to seek the permission of the institution as provided by the rules.

Dauda, who is also a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), had sued the University of Jos, the Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee, and the Dean of Faculty of Law, Prof Dakas Dakas (SAN) in 2016 through her lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) over her three months suspension as a lecturer of the school.

She was allegedly caught with unauthorized papers on May 4, 2016 during examination in the course: Global Context in Public Policy.

Under cross examination by defence counsel, Pius Akubo (SAN), Dauda stated that “I didn’t seek the permission of the Dean of Faculty to attend the lectures because it was personal and I wasn’t using the time of the school.”

Dauda, who is an Associate Professor, however admitted during the cross examination that she received her Diploma, LL.B, LL.M and Ph.D from the same institution and was supported to attend courses in USA, Germany, India, South Africa, Uganda, and had been promoted as and when due.

Justice Rakiya Haastrup has adjourned the case for continuation today.