WAEC Controversy Escalates as Police Invite Official Over Alleged Defamation

 The controversy surrounding the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination results has taken a new turn, with the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre inviting a West African Examinations Council official, Olanrewaju Fadehan, for questioning over allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation.

Fadehan, who heads the examinations department at WAEC’s Anambra office, was directed to appear before the police in Abuja on Wednesday, September 9. The invitation follows a series of public allegations he made concerning the conduct and release of the 2026 examination results.

Fadehan had questioned the credibility of the results and raised concerns about alleged irregularities affecting candidates. Among his claims were allegations involving the supply of calculators and identification cards, as well as concerns about the performance of candidates who took the computer-based examination.

The controversy has also moved into the courts. A Lagos State High Court has issued an interim injunction restraining Fadehan from publishing or circulating statements considered defamatory or injurious to WAEC, its examinations, results, certificates and Director-General, Amos Dangut. The order is expected to remain in force for seven days unless renewed by the court.

WAEC and Dangut are seeking N825 million in damages from Fadehan over the alleged defamatory publications. They are also seeking a retraction, public apology and removal of the disputed materials from various platforms.

Fadehan has disputed the allegations against him and maintained that he raised the issues because of concerns about the examination process. He also said he had petitioned the WAEC Board, the House of Representatives committee responsible for basic education and examining bodies, and the Minister of Education.

WAEC, however, has strongly rejected his allegations, describing them as false and sensational. The examination body has defended the credibility of the 2026 results and said candidates or schools dissatisfied with their results have an established process through which their concerns can be reviewed.

The latest police invitation adds another layer to an already complicated dispute involving an examination official, an examination body and the courts. At this stage, the allegations made by either side should not be treated as established facts until they are properly investigated or determined through the appropriate legal processes.

The outcome of the police investigation and the court proceedings could determine the next stage of the dispute, while concerns surrounding the 2026 WAEC results remain a matter of interest for candidates, parents, schools and the wider education sector.