One of Nigeria’s leading law faculties has mounted a vigorous defence of its former dean, who now heads the country’s election commission, following allegations of academic misconduct and result manipulation.

The University of Jos (UNIJOS) Faculty of Law issued a formal rebuttal on Monday, dismissing claims made by a former minister, Solomon Dalung, that results were “traded” during the 2009/2010 academic session. The university described the allegations as “false, baseless, and without merit,” noting they were made in the “thicket of partisan politics.”

The official under fire is Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, the current chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The university’s intervention comes at a critical time for the chairman, who is currently navigating a wave of digital and political challenges.

‘Excel, Not Manipulation’

During a television interview, Mr. Dalung alleged that the results of 16 students who earned Second Class Upper degrees were traded in favour of a group of “special students.” However, the current Dean of the Faculty, Professor Francis Kwede, stated that no such manipulation occurred.

Instead, the faculty credited Prof. Amupitan with modernising the department. Upon becoming Dean in 2008, he replaced slow, error-prone manual result compilation with an automated Excel spreadsheet system—a move the university says was “widely commended” for its accuracy and speed.

Key Points from the UNIJOS Statement:

• Academic Record: The university confirmed there is no record of result favouritism or victimisation during the 2009/2010 session.
• Personal Rebuttal: The faculty noted that Mr Dalung himself completed his postgraduate studies in 2010, casting doubt on his claims of being “victimised” for activism.
• Integrity Record: Prof. Amupitan’s subsequent elections to the University Governing Council and his role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor were cited as proof of his high standing within the institution.

Analysis: A Multi-Front Battle for Trust

For the chairman of an election commission, “integrity” is the only currency that matters. These academic allegations are particularly sensitive as they attempt to undermine Prof. Amupitan’s reputation just as the nation prepares for a high-stakes electoral cycle.

The University’s decision to “set the record straight” suggests a growing concern that institutional reputations are being caught in the crossfire of political rhetoric. For Prof. Amupitan, the challenge is now two-fold: he must defend his past at the University of Jos while simultaneously protecting the future of INEC’s digital credibility. In a climate where “partisan heat” often replaces evidence, the transition from the ivory tower to the electoral front lines is proving to be a trial by fire.

A Battle on Two Fronts

The university’s defence comes after weeks of brewing controversy, as these academic allegations have swirled alongside a separate, high-profile scandal involving the chairman’s purported social media presence. The timing is significant; the UNIJOS statement arrives just as INEC issued its own high-priority forensic alert on Monday, seeking to finally debunk what it calls a “sophisticated impersonation effort” on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

The commission revealed that a “coordinated disinformation campaign” had used fabricated screenshots to make it appear as though the chairman had posted partisan comments online. Forensic investigators proved those posts were forgeries, including one “reply” that was technically impossible, as it was timestamped before the post it was responding to.

“The fact that content goes viral does not make it authentic,” INEC warned, as it referred the digital impersonation case to law enforcement for prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act.