The College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), University of Sierra Leone (USL), has rusticated six students and approved the non-renewal of contracts for six lecturers following an investigation into allegations of examination malpractice.

The disciplinary measures follow the cancellation of the Pre-Admission Examination for the Diploma in Nursing programme on March 10, 2026, after reports of widespread malpractice emerged during the examination, which involved more than 800 candidates.

Following reports from the Examinations Officer and examination supervisors, COMAHS established a seven-member Investigation Committee to probe the allegations, assess the evidence, determine the extent of the violations, and recommend appropriate actions to protect the integrity of future admission processes.

In its findings, the Committee concluded that the reported irregularities posed a serious threat to the credibility of the admission process, compromised the College’s academic standards, and weakened public confidence in the fairness and transparency of the institution’s assessment system.

As part of the investigation, eleven lecturers were questioned. Five lecturers were cleared after the Committee determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish any wrongdoing.

However, six lecturers were found to have violated the University of Sierra Leone’s Examination Regulations and Staff Code of Ethics. Based on the Committee’s recommendations, the university accepted that their contracts should not be renewed upon expiration.

The investigation also established that six students were directly involved in the examination malpractice. In accordance with the university’s disciplinary procedures, the students have been rusticated.

COMAHS reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards examination malpractice and other forms of academic misconduct, stressing that protecting the credibility of its assessments, qualifications, and certificates remains central to its mission of producing competent healthcare professionals.

The University of Sierra Leone said it remains committed to upholding academic excellence, fairness, and accountability, while strengthening measures to prevent examination malpractice across all its constituent campuses.