Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has taken decisive action against four lecturers and a class representative for their alleged involvement in extortion, commonly referred to as “sorting.”
According to a report by ESUT Monitor, the suspended individuals are associated with the ESUT College of Medicine, also known as ESUCOM.
In an interview, the university’s Registrar, Mr. Ambrose Ugwu, disclosed that the suspensions were due to their involvement in extortion aimed at securing grade upgrades for students
Ugwu explained that the lecturers allegedly collaborated with the class representatives, who acted as intermediaries in soliciting money from students, claiming they had either failed the lecturers’ exams or received poor grades.
“In the College of Medicine, we have suspended four lecturers for soliciting payments from students to improve their results. Some class reps have been known to go around, after marking exams, collecting small amounts from students in exchange for ensuring that the lecturers upgrade their marks.
“Consequently, four lecturers and the class representative have been suspended indefinitely. In the future, we may disclose additional details,” the Registrar stated.
However, Mr Ugwu did not reveal the names of the suspended lecturers, emphasising that their cases are still under investigation.
In August 2024, the institution also took a firm stance against misconduct by dismissing six lecturers for offenses including certificate forgery, sexual harassment, and grade alteration.
