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 (HND) and 11 National Diploma (ND) 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, who said the students were investigated after allegations of examination malpractice were levelled against them.

According to Esin, the students were found guilty of the offences after due investigation by the Examination Malpractice Committee, with the infractions found to be in violation of the Matriculation Oath they took upon admission.

He said the expulsions were approved in accordance with the provisions of the Polytechnic’s Students’ Handbook, adding that the disciplinary action had effectively terminated the students’ relationship with the institution.

A breakdown showed that the Institute of Finance and Management Studies recorded the highest number of expulsions with 23 students, followed by the Institute of Technology with eight.

The Institute of Information and Communication Technology had four students expelled, while two students were affected in the Institute of Health Technology.

One student from the Institute of General Studies and four from the Centre for Continuing Education were also expelled.

The affected students were enrolled in various programmes, including Mechatronics Engineering, Civil Engineering, Strategic Communication, Journalism and Media Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration, Banking and Finance, Accountancy, Electrical/Electronic Engineering and Medical Imaging Technology.

Others were studying Microfinance and Entrepreneurship Development, Social Development, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, and Industrial and Labour Relations, among other programmes.

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

Esin said such property should be handed over to the affected students’ respective Heads of Department or other designated authorities of the institution.

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