In a surprising turn of events, four international students from Ghana have been arrested in the United States for allegedly forging high school transcripts in their quest to gain admission to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. According to court records from Northampton County, this case highlights the intense pressures many students face when pursuing educational opportunities far from home.
Four students—Otis Opoku, Evans Oppong, Cyrilstan Nomobon Sowah-Nai, and Henry Dabuo—find themselves facing serious challenges as they are currently held in Northampton County Jail. They are charged with forgery and theft of services, a situation that has drastically altered their lives. The group was arraigned on September 9, and now they wait anxiously for their preliminary hearings scheduled for September 24. During this uncertain time, their futures hang in the balance as they confront the weight of the legal system.
According to the university’s student newspaper, the recent arrests stemmed from actions taken by Detective Lieutenant David Kokinda of the Lehigh University Police Department. On September 6, he filed criminal complaints against three of the students, marking a pivotal moment in their lives. Meanwhile, the complaint involving the fourth student, Evans Oppong, is still in the processing stage, leaving him and his friends in a state of uncertainty as they navigate this challenging situation together.
Prosecutors allege that the students submitted altered high school transcripts to Lehigh University’s Admissions Office, exaggerating their grades to gain entry into the esteemed private research institution. According to the court documents, Opoku, who has been a student since 2022, received a staggering $212,933 in financial aid. Meanwhile, Sowah-Nai and Dabuo, who both began their studies in 2023, were awarded financial assistance of $127,213 and $129,244, respectively. These substantial amounts reflect not only their ambition but also the lengths to which some individuals might go to secure their future at such a prestigious school.
The investigation was sparked when Dan Warner, Lehigh’s Vice Provost of Admissions and Financial Aid, noticed something amiss with a transcript submitted by Jude Dabuo, the older brother of Henry Dabuo, who had recently been accepted to start at the university for the coming semester. Concerned about the authenticity of the document, Warner knew it was crucial to dig deeper to ensure the integrity of the admissions process and uphold the values of trust and fairness that Lehigh University stands for.
The Admissions Office noticed something off about Jude Dabuo’s transcript—there were unusual markings, awkward formatting, and even spelling errors that raised red flags. As a result, they made the tough decision to rescind his admission and take a closer look at his younger brother’s credentials. Unfortunately, as they delved deeper, they discovered that the applications of three other students also harbored similar discrepancies.
The four students are currently facing a challenging situation, with their bail set at $100,000. As of Monday, they still haven’t been assigned any legal representation. In response, their friends have come together to launch a GoFundMe page to help cover their legal defense costs, which include not just the bail but also commissary expenses and attorney fees. The page highlights that Opoku and Oppong had been achieving academic success, both making it onto Lehigh’s Dean’s List in recent semesters, a recognition that requires a GPA of 3.6 or higher. It’s a stark contrast to the circumstances they’re now facing, and their friends are doing everything they can to support them.
Lehigh University officials and the LUPD have chosen to remain silent on the unfolding situation, leaving many wondering about the next steps. Meanwhile, the GoFundMe campaign that started with a goal of raising $40,000 has hit a minor bump in the road. After raising $9,075, the campaign has been paused and reset with a new target of $30,925. It’s clear that the community is rallying together, hoping to provide the support these students desperately need during this difficult time.
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