In a recent development, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced its decision to withdraw the result of Ejikeme Mmesoma, a candidate who inflated her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores and falsely declared herself as the top scorer for the 2023 examination. JAMB uncovered the fraudulent act after investigating several publications in both print and online media that celebrated candidates for achieving high scores in the UTME.According to JAMB’s statement, many of the results boasted by these candidates are fraudulent, with several individuals resorting to using software packages to manipulate their scores, deceiving the unsuspecting public. The case of Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma stands out as particularly disheartening. Mmesoma claimed to have scored 362 in the 2023 UTME and secured a N3 million scholarship from Innoson Motors, with plans for an honorary recognition by the Anambra State government. However, when the Anambra State government sought confirmation from JAMB, it was revealed that Mmesoma had actually scored 249, not the claimed 362. She had manipulated her result in a bid to fraudulently obtain scholarships and other accolades.Another case brought to light by JAMB involved a candidate named Atung Gerald from Kaduna. Gerald falsely claimed to have scored a remarkable aggregate score of 380 in the UTME. His ethnic group advocated for special recognition for his achievement. However, JAMB dismissed the claim, stating that Atung had never even applied for the 2023 UTME, let alone participated in the examination.JAMB cautioned the public to verify candidates’ claims with the Board before bestowing undeserved honors, as certain software tools have been developed to forge results. This alarming trend has facilitated fraudulent practices by sponsors seeking to exploit well-meaning Nigerians like Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, the founder of Innoson Motors, who genuinely intends to promote academic excellence through investments in the education of young Nigerians.Regarding the consequences for Ejikeme’s actions, JAMB revealed that her result would be withdrawn, and she would face prosecution. The Board encouraged individuals like Dr. Chukwuma to remain undeterred and urged them to obtain authentic results directly from the Board, as done by the Anambra State Ministry of Education. The authentic results, held by JAMB, will be transmitted to the candidates’ selected schools in due course.It should be noted that Mmesoma attempted to request her UTME result from the Board’s platform, but she subsequently inflated her scores manually, affixing them to the 2022 UTME result sheet. However, the Board had modified the design of the 2023 result sheet, rendering her deceitful act evident. Her original score of 249 remains unchanged, and she will now face prosecution, with her result officially withdrawn. JAMB also plans to investigate all candidates who lay claim to higher scores than they actually attained. Once such fraudulent cases are uncovered, the candidates’ genuine results will be withdrawn promptly, and they will be handed over to relevant security agencies for prosecution.This recent incident serves as a reminder for stakeholders in education to exercise caution and vigilance when recognizing candidates’ achievements, ensuring that authenticity is verified to avoid promoting fraudulent acts.