Senate Upholds WAEC Staff Dismissal Over Script Fraud Scandal

DDM News

The Senate has upheld the dismissal of Ms. Sandra Nimi Harry, a former senior staff of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), over her involvement in examination malpractice.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the Senate reached its decision on Thursday, rejecting Harry’s petition to reverse her dismissal and reinstate her after 31 years of service.

Harry, who was the Head of the Scripts Room at WAEC’s Port Harcourt office, was dismissed in July 2023 after being found guilty of smuggling answer scripts of absentee candidates into the envelopes of legitimate candidates who sat for the WAEC private examinations.

WAEC had constituted three investigative panels, all of which found her and two other staff members culpable of the offence and recommended their dismissal.

In her petition to the Senate, Harry alleged wrongful dismissal and pleaded for her reinstatement, including payment of withheld salaries and entitlements.

The matter was reviewed by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen.

The committee confirmed that Harry admitted to being in charge of the scripts room and working with two other staff members, though she denied direct involvement in the smuggling of scripts.

The committee, in consideration of her 31 years of service, recommended that her punishment be reduced from dismissal to compulsory retirement so she could access her retirement benefits.

However, the Senate flatly rejected the committee’s recommendation.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole strongly opposed any leniency, stressing that public officers must be held to the highest standards, regardless of years in service.

He noted that although he has consistently championed workers’ rights, Harry’s case was indefensible given the gravity of the misconduct.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio warned that the Senate would set a dangerous precedent if it pardoned an officer found guilty of such serious misconduct simply because she had served for decades.

“Are we now suggesting that once people serve up to 31 years in service, they are free to commit any offence and get away with it?” Akpabio asked rhetorically.

He concluded, “It is the decision of the Senate that the dismissal stands. So, the petitioner, Harry, stands dismissed.”

The Senate’s ruling sends a strong message on accountability, emphasizing that tenure or experience cannot shield public servants from the consequences of misconduct.

WAEC has not issued any further statement following the Senate’s final decision.

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