The National Examinations Council has released the results of the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination, with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.

The Registrar of NECO, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, made this known while briefing journalists at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger State.

Prof. Wushishi disclosed that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, comprising 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.

The NECO boss provided a further breakdown of the results: “The number of candidates that sat for the exam is 1,367,736, comprising 702,112 males and 665,624 females.

“The number of candidates with five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, is 828,284, representing 60.55%.

“The number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, is 1,147,597, representing 83.90%.”

Regarding examination malpractice, Wushishi noted that this year’s figures showed a significant reduction compared to last year.

He stated: “The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437, compared to 12,030 in 2023, indicating a reduction of 30.1%.”

The registrar, however, revealed that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.

“During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination, 40 schools were found to have engaged in whole-school (mass) cheating in 17 states. They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied. One school in Ekiti has been recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and one Science subject.

“Similarly, 21 supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness, and negligence in 12 states.”

He urged candidates who sat for the examination to visit the NECO website to access their results.

“At this juncture, I wish to formally declare that the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results are hereby released to the public. By this release, candidates can now access their results on the NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” Wushishi said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified that the embattled former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is not in its custody.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the former governor remains wanted “for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges”.

“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.

“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said.

The EFCC, by the Wednesday statement, puts a lie to the claim of Bello’s aide that his principal had honoured the invitation from the anti-graft agency.

The Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, had earlier claimed that the former governor honoured EFCC invitation “after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies”.

Michael, however, did not provide further details or photo of the ex-governor’s visit to the EFCC.

Earlier in April, the EFCC declared Bello wanted for alleged financial crime to the tune of N80.2 billion.

The EFCC had stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and attempt to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor in office, Usman Ododo.

The matter has been in court but the former governor has not appeared before the trial judge despite many adjournments.

Bello served as the governor of Kogi State from January 27, 2016 to January 27, 2024, when he handed over to Ododo, his fellow party man in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former governor was declared wanted over allegations of money laundering and other corrupt practices to the tune of N80.2 billion.

In a statement by Ohiare Michael, Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, on Wednesday, Yahaya Bello said the “decision was made after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies.”

According to him, he only sought enforcement of his fundamental human rights in order to ensure due process, adding that he is a respecter of the rule of law and constituted authority.

The statement reads in part: “The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.

“The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development; supports the fight against corruption in the country.

“It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State.

“He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high-profile Nigerians.

“It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Details of his engagement with the operatives of the Anti-Graft Agency will be disclosed later.”