Three Ghanaian students accused of falsifying high school transcripts to gain admission to Lehigh University appeared in court on October 8, for a preliminary hearing.
The former students, Evans Oppong, Henry Dabuo, and Otis Opoku, are currently being held at Northampton County Prison, facing charges of forgery and theft of services.
Lehigh University Police Department arrested the three, alongside a fourth Ghanaian student, Cyrilstan Nomobon Sowah-Nai, on September 9.
Sowah-Nai's hearing is scheduled for October 15.
During the hearing, Dan Warner, Lehigh University's vice provost of admissions and financial aid, testified that discrepancies in the student's transcripts were identified during an internal review.
Warner raised concerns after noticing unusual similarities and formatting issues across the transcripts of the accused students.
According to Warner, investigations revealed that the transcripts provided by the students were significantly altered compared to official documents received from Opoku Ware School in Kumasi, Ghana.
The altered transcripts showed inflated grades, leading to the students receiving substantial financial aid packages, with Oppong and Opoku each receiving $212,933 and Dabuo $129,344.
Defence Attorney Evan Hughes challenged the evidence, arguing that the transcripts had not been properly authenticated according to U.S. federal rules governing foreign public documents.
He also questioned the role of third-party agencies involved in submitting the students' applications, suggesting translation and processing issues may have contributed to the discrepancies.
The court adjourned the hearing, with the arraignment set for November 7, as the case continues to unfold.
Latest Stories
-
From scarcity to sustainability: Addressing the global water crisis
30 minutes -
JoySports National Dialogue: Intentional leadership can fix our problems – NSA boss
30 minutes -
2025 budget lacks credibility – Oppong Nkrumah
31 minutes -
Galamsey Fight: 56 persons arrested, 25 Changfang machines set ablaze in Western Region
38 minutes -
We must establish ‘PPP National Sports and Entertainment Hub’ – Vernon
43 minutes -
I don’t support the idea of gov’t going to the bond market – Dr Baafi
58 minutes -
Cover the pitches when there are activities – Anthony Baffoe advises
2 hours -
One dead, 6 injured in accident at Gomoa Assin
2 hours -
With great influence comes even greater responsibility – Omane Boamah at IYES
2 hours -
JoySports National Dialogue: It’s important to get experts for various roles – Anthony Baffoe
2 hours -
Mahama appoints COP Yohunu as new IGP
2 hours -
National Education Forum committee to present final report to president by March 28
2 hours -
Ghana should develop national talent identification strategy – Tom Vernon
2 hours -
JoySports National Sports Dialogue: Gov’t committed to establishing sports fund – Kofi Adams
2 hours -
Ensuring inclusion and sustainability in Ghana’s Free Sanitary Pad initiative
2 hours