The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has confirmed the authenticity of its certificate issued by Blessed Hope Comprehensive College, Ikot Otong in Ika LGA of Akwa Ibom State, to a certain Miss Joy Samuel Ben.

This was contained in a Press Release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Akwa Ibom State Command, SP Odiko MacDon ANIPR and made available to the public on Wednesday December 27, 2023.

Miss Joy Samuel Ben in a viral video on social media had shared a story of how she was issued a fake WAEC certificate by one Mr. Joseph Moses John, a former Exam Officer of the said Blessed Hope Comprehensive School.

She went further to accuse the Minister of State for Petroleum in charge of Gas Resources, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, of influence peddling in the release of the suspect by the Nigerian Police in the course of investigation without her approval.

As part of its official statement on the matter, the Nigerian Police has made it clear that the offence for which the accused was arrested and subsequently granted administrative bail during investigation, did not require the Minister of State or anyone else to intervene.

“On the alleged release of the Suspect without consulting the Complainant by the CP as she alleged, Miss Joy should know that the alleged offence was a bail-able one and that the Commissioner of Police does not need her consent at any point in law to grant Police administrative bail to a Suspect in matters where such rights can be exercised, neither does he need to be called by the Minister before carrying out his constitutional responsibility. Bringing the Minister into the matter was unnecessary and uncalled for.”