Makeni, Sierra Leone — September 10, 2025
The University of Makeni (UniMak) has withdrawn academic certificates from two former students following confirmed acts of academic fraud linked to an international scholarship scheme.
In a decisive move, the University Senate—at its sitting on July 6—unanimously voted to revoke the degrees and all related documents previously awarded to Ms. Fatmata R. Sesay of the Human Resource Department and Mr. Abdul Karim S. Kanu of the Law Department. The decision follows an official complaint from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sierra Leone, which alleged that both individuals submitted falsified UniMak transcripts to gain unfair advantage in a scholarship competition for Sierra Leonean students.
A full investigation by the Senate’s Investigation Committee confirmed the allegations. The inquiry not only verified the falsification of academic records but also uncovered additional discrepancies pointing to deliberate misrepresentation. Both individuals admitted to the misconduct during the proceedings.
“This is a serious breach of academic integrity,” said UniMak Registrar Foday Augustine Bangura. “Such acts undermine the values of truth, accountability, and professionalism that the University stands for, and they threaten the trust we’ve built with national and international partners.”
The Senate’s resolution includes:
- The withdrawal of Ms. Sesay’s degree (Serial No. DEG0000002130, dated March 19, 2022)
- The withdrawal of Mr. Kanu’s degree (Serial No. DEG0000001751, dated March 20, 2021)
The decision has been formally communicated to the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, the Tertiary Education Commission, the Chinese Embassy, and relevant accrediting and professional bodies.
UniMak reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on academic fraud and emphasized its commitment to protecting the credibility of its academic awards. The University says it will continue to uphold rigorous standards to ensure that its qualifications reflect genuine merit and integrity.
