Ezekwesili, on Saturday, recommended counselling for Mmesoma who has confessed to falsifying her 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) score.
Mmesoma, according to the reports of an independent panel of investigators set up by the Anambra state government admitted to forging her results unaided.
Just like many Nigerians, Ezekwesili blasted the examination Board for rushing to conclusions on the case. She also called for an independent investigation.
However, in a statement posted via her Twitter account on Saturday, Ezekwesili said, “I have just read the report of the Committee set up by Anambra State Government to investigate and report their independent findings on the Mmesoma and JAMB saga.
“I am satisfied with the process and findings of their investigation which gave Mmesoma a fair hearing to enable the Committee gather all facts.
“It was necessary to have independent evidence that the result Mmesoma laid claim to publicly was not only fake but that the forgery was personally orchestrated by her. There are usually syndicates at the center of perpetration of exam malpractices in Nigeria but it appears not to be so in Mmesoma’s case from the facts of the Committee’s report.
“Mmesoma’s action has consequences. I, therefore, support the sanctions imposed by JAMB as a deterrent to all who participate in the systemic exam malpractices within our educational system.
“I also recommend sustained counseling for Mmesoma by the family, school and church to support her as she reflects on this tragic episode and makes a decision to embrace values and rewards of effort while eschewing dishonest gain for the rest of her life.”