Truth Must Prevail: A Polytechnic Lecturer Speaks on Certificate Forgery Allegations in Ogwashi-Uku

 

By Seigha Dora Ayedi (ZionAngel) | Global Egberi Media International

Delta State, Nigeria – July 11, 2025 — In light of growing public discourse and circulating reports alleging certificate racketeering at the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, a senior academic voice within the institution has broken the silence — calling for objectivity, truth, and transparency.

Agbedeyi Odimientimi Desmond, a Principal Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and a respected figure with 21 years of service, has issued a public statement to provide clarity and insight into the issue, from the perspective of one who has served as both Head of Department (HOD) and Examinations Officer.

“We Must Tell the Other Side of the Story”

In his candid reflection, Desmond emphasized that certificate forgery is a global issue, not one peculiar to Delta State Polytechnic. However, he strongly contested the notion of institutional involvement or any organized racketeering scheme within the Polytechnic's management structure.

“It is our duty as staff of the Polytechnics to tell the other side of the story. Certificate forgery is a common thing everywhere, and no institution or management has hands in it — at least to the best of my knowledge over two decades of service.”

Understanding the Result Approval Process

Desmond outlined the procedural rigor through which academic results are processed: from lecturers to departmental collation, through the schools, and finally to the Academic Board. According to him, this multi-level verification structure makes it extremely difficult for forged results to gain official validation — unless by the actions of rogue individuals operating outside official systems.

“As someone who has served as HOD and Exam Officer, I know the process. It involves multiple checks and approvals before final results are ratified. The system is not loose — it is structured.”

Debunking Allegations of Institutional Racketeering

Desmond was particularly disturbed by the insinuation that management-level officials could be complicit in a forgery ring involving payments of up to N250,000 per certificate.

“Let’s be frank. Management changes every five years, and no principal officer would want to ruin their career or reputation for a mere two hundred and fifty thousand Naira. It just doesn't add up. These allegations point more to the potential misconduct of a few low-level staff who may be criminally minded — not an institutional failure.”

He also urged the media and public not to fall for sensational narratives designed to stain the Polytechnic’s name without verified facts.

Call for Full Investigation and Public Report

While Desmond defended the general integrity of the institution, he also stressed the need for a thorough and impartial investigation. He called on relevant authorities and oversight agencies to make the findings public to protect the institution’s integrity and reassure the public.

“If anyone — staff or student — is involved in certificate forgery, let the investigation expose them. But we cannot remain silent and allow the name of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku to be dragged in the mud over unproven claims. Let the truth come out, and let justice be done.”

A Reputation Worth Protecting

Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, has long been a beacon of technical and academic excellence in Delta State. With hundreds of graduates contributing to Nigeria’s workforce, any allegation touching its credibility should be handled with both firmness and fairness.

As the public awaits more clarity from the authorities, voices like that of Principal Lecturer Agbedeyi Odimientimi Desmond serve as a reminder that within the institution are individuals committed to truth, education, and the future of Nigeria’s youth.

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— Statement by Agbedeyi Odimientimi Desmond
Principal Lecturer, Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku
Report by Seigha Dora Ayedi (ZionAngel) | Global Egberi Media International