The Pankshin Federal College of Education (Plateau State) sentenced Friday Tunkyes and Harvey Obed Ringsum to 18 months in prison each for forging and issuing fake academic certificates, following the discovery of a criminal organization within the institution.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Jere Ndazhaga announced the arrests at a press conference in Jos on Monday. He explained that the fraud was uncovered when a suspicious certificate was submitted to the university’s Examinations and Records Section, leading to an investigation that revealed numerous forged certificates and official seals.
“This is deeply troubling and unacceptable to the university administration,” Ndazhaga stated. “A criminal organization was involved in the forgery, falsification, and alteration of academic results, claiming the now-defunct Pankshin Federal College of Education issued them.”
The investigation began after inconsistencies were detected in a certificate that had not been uploaded to the JAMB portal. The matter was escalated to the University Security Unit and the Pankshin Divisional Police Bureau before being formally reported to the State Intelligence Department (SID) on November 17, 2025.
Subsequent undercover operations led to the arrest of Friday Tunkyes, from the Mikang Local Government Area, on November 18, and Harvey Obed Ringsum, from the Mangu Local Government Area, on November 19, 2025. During the operation, authorities recovered numerous forged official certificates and seals from the suspects.
Following due process, both men were convicted and are currently serving their sentences in a correctional facility. The University Vice President emphasized that the sentencing is intended to deter others from committing similar offenses and to preserve the integrity of the institution’s academic credentials.
Ndazhaga also urged organizations and employers to verify certificates purportedly issued by the university, noting that “there are no shortcuts to obtaining information.” He called on citizens to report any suspicious activity that could undermine education and national development. “The motto of Pankshin Federal University of Education is ‘EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE.’ Every genuine certificate issued represents years of rigorous training, character development, and integrity,” he stated. “We will not tolerate any acts that tarnish the university’s image or the value of education.”
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