My Coursemate

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 7

My Course Mate Episode 7
“You have been accused of writing examination for a student. This amounts to criminal impersonation. Is this accusation true? Did you do it?” The vice chancellor who is the chairman of the examination malpractice disciplinary committee asked.

We were in the senate hall and I was facing a panel of thirteen professors who do not look friendly at all. At UNILAG, examination malpractice is seen as a gravious crime. The penalty is total expulsion. I was in deep shit. I was in hot okra soup.

“Yes sir. I cannot deny the allegation. I’m guilty as charged.” said. Before appearing before the panel, I had made up my mind to plead guilty hoping for some leniency. I told Azizat and she agreed to join me to plead guilty too.

I banked on the fact that the VC knows who I’m to his daughter. I hoped he would use his good office to help me to escape any form of punishment. Or at least, get a lenient punishment. This turned out to be a great mistake.

“So why would you do such a thing? Are you aware the consequences of this is expulsion?” The VC asked. His voice sounded very angry. The other panel members also had angry faces. It was like they wanted to see what the VC would do since his daughter is involved. They too were in for a rude shock.

“I was only trying to help her sir. She was sick and hospitalized and she did not read before the examination commenced. I thought it wise to give her a helping hand so that she will not fail the course sir.” I answered with my head bowed. I was very agitated, but my voice surprisingly remained firm.

It was a very difficult situation. I was standing trial before professors who are not only older than me but have towered many years above me in terms of academics. I was intimidated but I clearly did not lack what to say. I remained sharp!

“What is the name of this girl and who is she to you?” The VC asked. The question shocked me because I had met the VC several times and I was introduced to him as boyfriend to Azizat his daughter. I had even had launch several times at his residence. I began to think maybe he did not recognize me because he was not wearing his eyeglasses.

“Her name is Azizat Adeajalagun sir. And Azizat is your daughter and she is my girlfriend.” I said very firmly, making sure my eyes and those of the VC jammed. Every member of the panel fidgeted on their seats. Some of them readjusted their sitting positions while others. removed their eyeglasses as if they wanted to take a better look at my face.

Here I’m, a 100-Level student directly telling the VC of my school that I wrote an examination for his daughter. The VC obviously felt very embarrassed and it was written all over his face. My plan was not to ridicule him. I just wanted leniency and thought telling the truth would help me out. I was wrong!

“You poor rat! You liar! You wretched iditot. How dare you make such dangerous claim. The young lady you are talking about is not my daughter. Are you drunk?” The VC said. He was shouting and anger was written all over his face. If was close to where he was sitting, he would probably have slapped me.

“I’m not drunk sir. Azizat is your daughter and she is my girlfriend. She is the person I helped to write the examination. She was sick. You saw me at the hospital when I came to visit her sir. Check your memory sir, you will see me inside your head.” I said very firmly. I was becoming very scared, but my voice remained loud and clear.

“Liar! You are a stupid liar! You think these lies would set you free? You think by mentioning my name you will be set free? Think again young man because I already signed your expulsion letter.” The VC said. He banged the table very loudly. Other members of the panel seemed scared to say anything. But there was a man who spoke out on my behalf. His name is Professor Ejememeje who happens to be the dean of my faculty.

“Excuse me Mr Vice Chancellor.” He said while standing. He removed his eyeglasses.

standing. He removed his eyeglasses.

“I think the young man should be given a fair hearing. We have handled many cases of examination malpractice and it was never this tensed or personal. Otti has said he wrote the examination for your daughter. I think the best thing is to allow your daughter to appear before the committee. Your daughter is supposed to be here answering questions too. And from the allegations listed by the course lecturer, he said your daughter and Oti stands accused. I’m surprised your daughter is not here. I think we should adjourn this hearing pending when your daughter will also appear before us.” Professor Ejememeje said. I was so happy that someone is speaking up at last. The VC was taken aback by what the prof said and he paused as if he was considering his next line of action.

“I don’t think there is any need for adjournment. Oti will be expelled. He just said he is guilty as charged. What other adjournment are we asking for when the accused has pleaded guilty?” The VC asked.

“I object to this Mr VC.” Mr Ade, the course lecturer who happened to be present said.

“It would be wrong to punish only Oti. Your daughter is an accomplice to the crime. She must share in the punishment. Your daughter has to appear before the committee as well. That’s my submission.” Mr Ade said. The tide seemed to be turning in my favour as many of the panel members were starting to find the courage to speak.

“My daughter is not appearing before this committee. This is because she is not the person Oti wrote examination for. My daughter, Azizat has done no wrong and cannot appear her. She was not in school that day and she has not been in school this semester. Oti stands expelled!” The VC said. His conclusion seemed final. He was telling lies and the committee members knew this, but some of them were still too timid to speak out.

“This is not right. It is cruel and I cannot be part of it.” Professor Ejememeje said. “I think in the event that your daughter cannot appear here, I suggest Oti should produce witnesses to either corroborate or refute what he

has told the committee. The witnesses will tell

us whether your daughter was in school on the

day of the said examination or not.

The examination invigilator and two coursemates

should be invited as witnesses. I call for an

adjournment.” Professor Ejememeje concluded.

“I second the call for an adjournment. I cannot be part of this too. I’m the course lecturer and I know for sure your daughter was involved in this. We have to call for witnesses.” Mr Ade said.

“Alright! But the decision to expel Oti remains. Valid, only delayed by time. This meeting stands adjourned until next week Monday by 9am. You shall appear here with three coursemates of yours as witnesses. The invigilator who was in charge of the hall shall also appear here.” The VC said as he arose and left the hall.

As I walked home, I was pondering on the fact that Azizat did not come to school neither did she appear before the disciplinary committee.

“Why would she do that? We had agreed to come together and plead guilty. She also promised to talk to her father on my behalf. Why did she abandon me?” I asked myself.

I called Azizat’s phone but her line was switched off. I felt very terrible. I felt abandoned! I felt drained!

“So this is how my academic journey would end?” I asked myself as I lay on bed trying hard to sleep. I picked up my phone and called my friends, Ajibola, Kadijat and Emeka who graciously agreed to appear as my witnesses to help testify for me.

“I hope this whole thing will end in praise.” I said.

Watch out for episode eight (8).