UTURU, ABIA — The management of Abia State University (ABSU) is facing fresh pressure following explosive allegations of extortion and academic fraud leveled against the Dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication, Innocent Ihechu Paschal, popularly known as “Madino.”
The allegations, which surfaced over the weekend, suggest a systemic culture of “sorting” and financial exploitation within the faculty.
Project for Sale?
According to an exposé by education advocate and CEO of Educare, Alex Onyia, the Dean allegedly charges final-year students as much as ₦350,000 to clear their academic projects.
“He allegedly engages in extorting students via handouts and sorting. Also charges up to ₦350k for projects,” Onyia stated. It is further alleged that once the payment is made, the lecturer provides pre-written projects for the students to simply transcribe and resubmit for high grades.
Mandatory Handouts and “Sorting”
Beyond the project fees, Paschal is accused of forcing students to purchase personal handouts as a condition for passing his courses. Students who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of victimization described a “pay-to-pass” system where academic merit has been replaced by cash transactions, locally referred to as “sorting.”
These claims follow similar allegations against another lecturer in the same department, Dr. Kingsley Izuogo, who was recently accused of demanding ₦20,000 “sorting fees” for an advertising course.
University Denies Allegations
In a swift rebuttal, the ABSU management has dismissed the viral reports as “misleading” and a “calculated attempt to blackmail” the institution. The university’s spokesperson, Chijoke Nwogu, maintained that the school operates a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding extortion and sexual harassment.
“The university is committed to academic excellence. We urge anyone with concrete evidence to come forward through the official channels rather than resorting to social media trials,” the statement read.
Students Demand Probe
Despite the university’s denial, the allegations have triggered an outcry among alumni and current students, who are calling for an independent panel to investigate the Faculty of Mass Communication. This is not the first time ABSU has faced such scandals; the institution previously suspended a lecturer after a viral video exposed similar misconduct.
As of Sunday morning, Dean Innocent Ihechu Paschal has not issued a personal statement responding to the specific claims made by Mr. Onyia.
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Watch video of a similar incident
