A shocking scandal has rocked Taraba State as officials of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) apprehended individuals who attempted to sit for professional examinations on behalf of others, including the state’s Honourable Commissioner of Finance, Dr. Sarah Enoch Adi. A viral video currently circulating across social media platforms shows a woman identified as Livet Felex being caught in the act, openly confessing to writing the ICAN exam on behalf of Sarah Adi. The revelation has sparked widespread outrage and concern about the integrity of public office holders and the sanctity of professional examinations in Nigeria.
According to reports verified by The Nigeria Education News, the incident took place at an ICAN examination centre in Taraba State. Examination officers, acting on suspicion, questioned Livet Felex during the exam process. Under interrogation, she admitted that she was not the registered candidate but was instead writing on behalf of Commissioner Sarah Adi. She disclosed that the arrangement had been facilitated by a man identified simply as Joshua, who recruited her for the task.
Felex further explained that she resided at Grace Junior, By-Pass, in Taraba State, and had no personal relationship with the Commissioner. She claimed she was promised financial compensation for impersonating the candidate. In a desperate attempt to justify her presence at the exam centre, she initially claimed to be an employee of the Ministry of Finance, but her lies quickly unraveled as officials cross-checked her details against the official records.
The supervising exam officer, upon verifying the registered details of the genuine candidate, confirmed that the information matched those of Dr. Sarah Adi, the serving Commissioner of Finance. This revelation rendered Felex’s excuses invalid, and it became clear that she was impersonating the Commissioner. The officer stressed that the identity Felex was using belonged to the Commissioner and that her attempt was a blatant case of examination malpractice.
In her defense, Felex insisted that she had no direct contact with the Commissioner herself. She emphasized that Joshua, who allegedly contracted her, was the one behind the arrangement. According to her, she was simply paid to sit for the exam and did not fully understand the implications of her actions. Despite her claims of ignorance, ICAN officials treated the matter with utmost seriousness, insisting that impersonation is a criminal offence under Nigerian law and a severe breach of ICAN’s ethics.
This case became more alarming when it was discovered that Livet Felex was not the only person engaged in impersonation at the same examination centre. Another man, identified as Abraham Moses, was caught writing the ICAN examination for a candidate named Mr. Martins Emmanuel. Upon interrogation, Moses revealed that he resided opposite Cathedral at Mile 6 in Taraba State and willingly provided his phone number, 07062439681, to the authorities.
Moses confessed that he, too, had been contacted by the same Joshua who allegedly arranged Felex’s assignment. This connection raised suspicions of a broader network orchestrating systematic impersonation for candidates sitting for ICAN exams in Taraba State. Moses claimed it was his first time engaging in such malpractice and that he had no idea of the legal consequences until he was caught red-handed by examination officials.
Examination officials sternly warned Moses about the implications of his actions, making it clear that writing examinations on behalf of another person is a serious crime under Nigerian law. They further explained that such malpractice undermines the credibility of professional certification processes in the country. The officials promised to ensure that Joshua, the mastermind who recruited both Felex and Moses, would be tracked down and prosecuted.
The involvement of a state commissioner in such a scandal has generated widespread debate across Taraba State and beyond. Many Nigerians expressed shock that an individual of such academic standing and political prominence could be associated with an act of examination fraud. Stakeholders in both the education and finance sectors have voiced concerns about the potential damage to public trust in professional institutions like ICAN, whose credibility depends on rigorous, corruption-free examinations.
Background checks conducted by The Nigeria Education News confirmed that Hon. Dr. Sarah Enoch Adi is indeed the current Commissioner of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning of Taraba State. Born on April 9, 1973, in Wukari, Taraba State, she hails from the family of Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Adi. She holds an extensive academic portfolio, including a Doctorate Degree in Accounting from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, obtained in 2023.
Dr. Adi also obtained a Master of Banking and Finance from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2011. She further earned a Higher National Diploma and National Diploma in Accountancy from Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos, in 2006 and 2004 respectively. In addition, she received a Diploma in Tax Administration from Kaduna State Polytechnic in 1998. Her academic record reflects a long-standing commitment to the accounting profession.
Her professional journey began at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, where she steadily rose through the ranks. By 2022, she had attained the rank of Chief Accountant, having carried out several key assignments within Nigeria’s federal financial system. Her dedication and competence earned her recognition, paving the way for her subsequent political appointment.
In August 2023, she was appointed as the Commissioner of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning of Taraba State by Governor Agbu Kefas. Since assuming the role, she has been instrumental in the management of the state’s finances, budgetary planning, and economic development initiatives. Official records describe her as someone whose hobbies include reading and listening to music, with a strong passion for helping humanity. She is also a mother, blessed with children.
Despite this impressive profile, the unfolding scandal threatens to overshadow her achievements. Critics argue that if the allegations are proven true, they could irreparably damage her reputation and raise broader questions about accountability among public officials. Supporters, however, caution that the case must be thoroughly investigated before drawing conclusions, noting that the Commissioner herself has yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
This case also raises broader concerns about examination malpractice in Nigeria. Educationists warn that when senior public officials are implicated in such scandals, it sets a dangerous precedent that may embolden others to undermine academic and professional standards. ICAN, an institution revered for upholding the highest professional standards in accountancy, now faces pressure to ensure transparency and justice in handling the matter.
As investigations continue, the spotlight is firmly on the ICAN authorities, security agencies, and the government of Taraba State to address the scandal decisively. Nigerians await the outcome of inquiries that will determine whether Commissioner Sarah Enoch Adi had any direct involvement or whether she was a victim of a fraudulent network operating in her name. The elusive figure of Joshua remains at the centre of the controversy, with calls for his arrest and prosecution intensifying as the scandal continues to unfold.
