5 December 2011

The alleged involvement of a member of the House of Representatives from Abia State, Hon. Nkiru Onyejiocha, in an examination fraud has thrown up more puzzles, as her personal assistant, Chetachi Obi, at the weekend, denied writing any examination for her or for any other person.

Obi, who holds a masters degree in Psychology and presently processing her registration for a law programme at Abia State University, was on December 1 arrested and detained overnight by the police for allegedly acting as a surrogate candidate for the lawmaker in the ongoing National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTAB) examinations.

But at news conference to clear the air on her arrest and detention at the State CID Umuahia, Obi said she was set up by an anonymous caller who asked her to come to Unique Comprehensive High School Isuochi to collect a mail meant for the lawmaker.

According to her, she had no idea that the school was an examination centre and on driving to the premises, she waited for her caller to appear only for the police to accost and arrest her on the ground that she was writing exam for Onyejiocha.

Obi, who insisted that her set up was politically motivated pointed out that it was inconceivable that the lawmaker, who represents Umunneochi federal constituency could have entered for the NABTEB exam much less hiring somebody to write for her.

To back her claims she displayed the education qualifications of her boss, including a diploma in social work and Bachelor of Arts in Religion obtained from the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1988 and 1993 respectively as well as a Master of Science in International Affairs and Diplomacy obtained from Imo State University in 2006.

"What happened on Thursday, December 1 was unfortunate and shows how desperate people can be when they want to get power," the embattled PA said, adding that a petition shown her by the police which was written by Concerned Citizens of Isuochi was not signed with no name of the signatory.

On how a photo card for the NABTEB exam said to have been found at the centre had both the name and picture of Onyejiocha, the PA explained that in this era of online registration it was possible that the desperate political enemies of her boss could have scanned her picture and registered for the exam in her name.

She said having perfected their plans the stage was set for the mischief makers when they lured her to an exam centre having already connived with the police to arrest her in order to embarrass the lawmaker.

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the SCID, Umuahia, Joseph Micloth, while confirming the arrest of Onyejiocha's aide, said he could not confirm whether or not the lawmaker was actually involved in exam fraud as investigations have not been concluded.

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