Admission rackets: Cybercafe operator defrauds woman of N1.5m

The Provost of Lagos State College of Health Technology (LASCOHET), Professor Raheem Akewushola, has strongly condemned a recent case of admission fraud involving a cybercafé operator.

According to the college, a woman was tricked into paying ₦1.5 million after being promised admission into LASCOHET by the operator. The incident became public after the victim, whose name was not disclosed, submitted a petition to the school when she did not get the promised admission.

The school’s official statement, shared via the Lagos State Government’s X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, revealed that the woman first paid ₦500,000 to the suspect (name withheld) as part of the so-called admission process.

When she didn’t gain admission, the suspect, Mr. Arapatile, told her she could still attend classes and even get a certificate later. However, when she asked for a refund, he allegedly threatened her. This prompted her to report the matter to the college authorities.

During questioning by the college management, led by Professor Akewushola, Arapatile admitted to the fraud. He claimed the admission was not for LASCOHET, but for a professional body called “CIMB.” However, he was unable to provide the full name or details of this organization.

Investigators also found several school stamp pads in his shop, raising further suspicions. The college says more investigations are ongoing.

Professor Akewushola warned the public not to deal with Mr. Arapatile, stressing that he is not a staff member or representative of the college.

“Our school has zero tolerance for this kind of behavior,” he said, adding that the college will do everything possible to bring the culprit to justice.

In a related incident, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Carol Chinyelugo Arinze-Umobi, has also launched a crackdown on admission fraud in her institution.

This follows disciplinary action taken against a staff member (name withheld), who allegedly collected ₦400,000 from a student’s mother with a false promise to secure her son admission into the Faculty of Medicine.
Source: Punch