The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has expelled 42 students for examination malpractice following investigations by the institution's Examination Malpractice Committee.

The affected students comprise 31 Higher National Diploma and 11 National Diploma students drawn from various institutes and programmes of the polytechnic.

The decision was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Principal Assistant Registrar, Academic Board Matters Division, Ibrahim Esin, a copy of which was obtained by PUNCH Online.

Esin said the affected students were investigated by the Examination Malpractice Committee after allegations of examination malpractice were levelled against them.

He added that the offences committed by the students violated the Matriculation Oath they took upon their admission into the institution.

"The students were found guilty of the allegations against them after due investigation by the Examination Malpractice Committee.

"The offences contravened the Matriculation Oath sworn to by the students upon admission into the institution," he stated.

Esin explained that the decision to expel the students was taken in accordance with the rules governing the institution.

"The expulsions were approved in accordance with the provisions of the Polytechnic's Students' Handbook," he said.

He added that the approval of the disciplinary action had effectively brought the students' relationship with the institution to an end.

A breakdown of the affected students showed that the Institute of Finance and Management Studies recorded the highest number, with 23 students expelled.

The Institute of Technology followed with eight students, while four students were expelled from the Institute of Information and Communication Technology and two from the Institute of Health Technology.

The Institute of General Studies had one student affected, while four students from the Centre for Continuing Education were also expelled.

The students were enrolled in a range of programmes, including Mechatronics Engineering, Civil Engineering, Strategic Communication, Journalism and Media Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration, Banking and Finance, and Accountancy.

Others were studying Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Medical Imaging Technology, Microfinance and Entrepreneurship Development, Social Development, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, and Industrial and Labour Relations, among others.

Among the HND students affected were Rasaq Faruq Tolani, Adebiyi Eniola Kofoworola, Nzekwe Domic Chibuike, Adekunle Khalid Boluwatife, Raji Abdulhafeez Opeyemi, Magbagbeola Rofiat Adesewa, Abdulrasheed Ojuolape Mariyam and Abdullafees Khadijat Oritoke.

Others listed by the institution included Ibrahim Farida Adepate, Abdulrasheed Muhammed Alabi, Omidiji Oluwatosin Samuel, Jimoh Aminat Modupe, Balogun Yusuf Olalekan, Opadisi Ridwan Opeyemi and Oyewole Victoria Oluwaponle, among others.

The ND students expelled were Ayinde Aishat, Ekunnus Fridays Sunmisola, Sanusi Fathia Ayomide, Ameenulah Idris Olamilekan, Magnus David Pelumi, Ishola Sulyman Atanda, Ibrahim Rofiat Elewuetu, Abdulgafar Abdulkareem Idowu, Oladele Opeyemi Miracle, Isiaq Mujeeb and Hammed Toheeb Oluwatosin.

The management also directed the expelled students to return all property belonging to the polytechnic that remained in their possession.

According to Esin, the items were to be handed over to the affected students' respective Heads of Department or other designated authorities of the institution.

"The expelled students are hereby directed to hand over all Polytechnic property in their possession to their respective Heads of Department or other designated authorities," he stated.

The polytechnic said the disciplinary action followed the conclusion of the examination malpractice investigations and the subsequent approval of the expulsions by the appropriate authorities.