By Chinyere Nwachukwu
Authorities of the University of Lagos have expelled 125 students and rusticated 198 others for various offences, including examination malpractices during last academic session.
The lists of the affected students were published on the university’s website on Sunday.
The institution’s Deputy Registrar (Information), Mr Toyin Adebule, confirmed the expulsion and estimation to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday,
Adebule told NAN that the university “will soon publish and display the names and photographs of the students in the media’’.
He said that the action was in line with the university’s zero tolerance on malpractices and other vices in campus.
“Yes we have published some names on our website and these students will be punished in various degrees, depending on the severity.
“Last session, a number of students were caught in various forms of malpractices during their examinations.
“Some were found cheating during the examination with “micro sheets” while others were hired as surrogates to write papers for others.
“Others were caught smoking weeds (Marijuana) right in their halls of residence by their colleagues and reported to the university authorities.
“For those who were caught impersonating, writing examinations for others, they will face outright expulsion,’’ Adebule said.
Adebule said the other categories of students, such as those caught with micro sheets and the smokers, would face suspension ranging from two to four semesters.
“In other to get the desired effect of their various punishments, we are planning to publish all their names as well as display their photographs all over the campus in the next one week.
“We shall carry out this measure in all the departments and faculties in the institution.
“This is to help the university ensure that the affected students will have nowhere to hibernate on campus.
“By doing this, the affected students would know that the university want to ensure total compliance to the sanction and would not want to be seen anywhere around the campus,’’ he said.
Adebule said that before every examination, the university normally make available the rules and regulations for the students to abide by.
He said that such rules and regulations were usually accompanied by various sanctions for defaulters.
According to him, the university will continue to do all it can to sustain set standards and best practices as obtained in other top universities around the world.
Adebule, however, clarified that the development had nothing to do with those involved in the recent students’ riot.
-NAN
