23-05-2025
Morocco's Anti-Corruption Body Takes Legal Action in Diploma Fraud Case
Rabat – Morocco's National Authority for Probity, Prevention, and the Fight Against Corruption has announced that it asked the State's Legal Representative to represent the state in a high-profile case surrounding selling fraudulent university degrees.
The case involves a significant academic corruption scandal in Agadir, where a law professor at Ibn Zohr University is accused of selling university degrees. The professor allegedly manipulated official records to issue fake diplomas to individuals seeking employment opportunities.
According to a statement released by the anti-corruption body, this step was taken under Article 36 of Law 46.19. The Authority asked the Legal Representative to file civil claims on behalf of the Moroccan state, while also reserving its right to take further action if necessary. The Legal Representative has accepted the request.
The case involves serious allegations of corruption, including the creation of a criminal group that allegedly sold fake university diplomas. The charges include forgery of official documents, abuse of power, fraud, and misuse of public funds.
The Authority said it learned about the issue through reports of suspicious activities that, if proven true, could be considered corruption crimes. It then began looking into the matter but later stepped back from the criminal part of the case as it is already being handled by the courts. This decision follows Article 7 of Law 46.19, which prevents the Authority from investigating cases that are in the hands of the judiciary.
One university professor has been arrested and is currently in custody at Oudaïa prison, based on a decision by the investigating judge at the Marrakech Court of Appeal. Other suspects are being prosecuted while free, but their passports have been seized to prevent them from fleeing the country.
The case has attracted widespread attention due to its implications for the credibility of Morocco's higher education system and the employment sector. Tags: Agadirdiploma fraudfake university diploma
