In a startling revelation, Mmesoma Ejikeme, the student who claimed to have achieved the highest score in the recently concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), has confessed to manipulating her result.
A panel set up by Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State investigated the matter and uncovered the truth behind the controversy.
According to the panel’s report, Mmesoma admitted that her original UTME result was an aggregate score of 249. However, she utilized a device and a printout to manipulate the score to 362.
The committee held an interactive session with Mmesoma, the Principal of Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, and officials from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
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JAMB officials, led by Dr. Fabian Benjamin, Head of Public Affairs, presented detailed information on the processes and procedures involved in JAMB admissions, as well as policy changes in UTME score releases since 2021.
The officials highlighted that Mmesoma had repeatedly requested her results from JAMB at different hours, receiving the same legitimate score of 249 each time.
However, Mmesoma later submitted a request to JAMB using a different registration number, presenting a manipulated result with an aggregate score of 362.
These results significantly deviated from the standard JAMB format, leading to suspicions. JAMB officials identified several red flags, including a different date of birth, registration number, and the use of a discarded notification of results template.
The panel’s investigation also revealed that the center name listed on Mmesoma’s manipulated result sheet was altered, with her using the old name of the center instead of the updated one.
In the presence of her principal and the Education Secretary, Mmesoma confessed to having manipulated the results herself, without any external assistance.
She even disclosed visiting a cybercafé, Prisca Global Computers in Uruagu, Nnewi, to print the manipulated results.
When questioned about her motive for manipulating the results, Mmesoma simply responded with the word “nothing.” This raised concerns about the underlying factors that drove her to take such actions.
Considering the gravity of the situation, the panel has recommended that Mmesoma issues an unreserved apology to JAMB, her school (Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Uruagu Nnewi), and the Anambra State Government.
In addition, they suggest that she undergoes psychological counseling and therapy to address any potential underlying issues that may have influenced her behavior.
