In a bold crackdown on academic fraud, the Ekiti State Police Command has uncovered an illegal university study centre in Ado-Ekiti, arresting two individuals who had been operating the sham institution and fraudulently issuing fake degrees in the name of Kwara State University, Malete.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Eribo, made the shocking revelation on Thursday during a press briefing in the state capital, as he presented a three-month progress report from the State Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
According to Eribo, the bust followed actionable intelligence received on February 18, 2025, which prompted detectives to swoop in on the illicit operation. The suspects—identified as Adesanmi Sunday and Akinola Olaolu—were found to be running the unlicensed study centre, where they issued counterfeit Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates to unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of affiliation with Kwara State University.
“Detectives of the State CID acted swiftly on credible intelligence and discovered that the fraudulent centre had been illegally awarding degrees to innocent citizens,” Eribo stated. “Our investigations confirmed that the operators had no connection whatsoever with Kwara State University, as verified by the institution’s authorities.”
The police chief added that both suspects have been arraigned in court, with legal proceedings formally beginning on April 11, 2025.
“The suspects have been charged to court and will face the full wrath of the law for this gross deception and academic fraud,” Eribo confirmed.
He used the opportunity to caution the public against enrolling in unverified academic institutions, stressing the importance of confirming the accreditation status of any study centre or university before registration.
“The public must be vigilant. Do not fall victim to deceitful schemes that promise shortcuts to academic qualifications. Always verify the authenticity and accreditation of any educational centre before committing time and resources,” he urged.
In a broader sweep of its ongoing operations, the Commissioner also highlighted other key achievements of the CID during the review period. These include:
Arrests in 12 reported cases of rape
Recovery of stolen vehicles
Resolution of two cases of child abuse
Apprehension of suspected murderers and armed robbers
“While some of these suspects have already been charged to court, others will face prosecution upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations,” Eribo added.
The police command reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order while rooting out criminal elements who exploit innocent citizens for personal gain.
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