Examination malpractice: 4 teenagers docked for hacking WAEC’s website

Four teenagers were on Tuesday arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for hacking into the website of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

The teenagers were arraigned on a 2-count charge of intent to cheat and illegally printing question papers meant to be taken by secondary school students for the purpose of selling same, with solved answers to unsuspecting students.

The alleged offences were said to be contrary to Section 3(6) and punishable under Section 1(16)(9)(d) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Volume 8 of the Revised Edition of Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The accused persons include: Samuel Onwurah, Patrick Nwodo, Effiong Joseph and Chijoke Onwuachu.

According to the prosecuting counsel, P. A. Amadi, the teenagers illegally gained access into WAEC website and printed questions meant for the May/June 2017 Secondary School Certificate Examination, and sold same to students.

They were arrested in Uyo, Umuahia, Enugu and Owerri and transferred to the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, for prosecution.

The charge sheet, marked PHC/ABJ/CR/93/17, read in part: “That you, Samuel O. Onwurah ‘m’ within the same period and before the commencement of the May/June 2017 West African Examination Council examination organised for secondary school candidates did fraudulently and illegally hacked into the website of the West African Examination Council with intent to enrich yourself, procured and printed West African Examination Council Question Papers meant for the May/June secondary school examinations and sold same to students with solved answers and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(16)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap 17, Vol. 8, Revised Edition of Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.”

“That you, Patrick U. Nwodo ‘m’ within the same period and before the commencement of the May/June 2017 West African Examination Council examination organised for secondary school candidates did fraudulently and illegally hacked into the website of the West African Examination Council with intent to enrich yourself, procured and printed West African Examination Council Question Papers meant for the May/June secondary school examinations and sold same to students with solved answers and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(16)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap 17, Vol. 8, Revised Edition of Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.”

“That you, Effiong Joseph ‘m’ within the same period and before the commencement of the May/June 2017 West African Examination Council examination organised for secondary school candidates did fraudulently and illegally hacked into the website of the West African Examination Council with intent to enrich yourself, procured and printed West African Examination Council Question Papers meant for the May/June secondary school examinations and sold same to students with solved answers and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(16)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap 17, Vol. 8, Revised Edition of Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.”

“That you, Chijioke Onwuachu ‘m’ within the same period and before the commencement of the May/June 2017 West African Examination Council examination organised for secondary school candidates did fraudulently and illegally hacked into the website of the West African Examination Council with intent to enrich yourself, procured and printed West African Examination Council Question Papers meant for the May/June secondary school examinations and sold same to students with solved answers and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(16)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap 17, Vol. 8, Revised Edition of Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.”

They were also charged with, “intent to cheat or secure unfair advantage to your known students writing the May/June 2017 examination organised by WAEC did sell to them WAEC examination question papers intended for the answers and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(16) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap 17, Vou 8 Revised Edition of Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

When they were arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, the vacation Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, they pleaded not guilty to the charges when read out to them.

After their counsel moved their bail applications, Justice Dimgba granted them bail with one surety each and their counsel to deposit their certificate of call to bar.

The court adjourned till October 12, 2017 for commencement of trial.