A FORMER University of Essex student is to face a conduct and competency hearing next week into allegations he committed plagiarism on assignments.

Former MSc Nursing (Adult) pre-registration student Emmanuel Ajala is set to appear before a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Conduct and Competence Committee substantive hearing next week.

Mr Ajala studied at Essex between September 2007 and June 2009 and is alleged to have committed plagiarism on the assignments which were submitted for assessment in 2009. It is alleged by the NMC that his actions were “dishonest”.

It is also alleged that, following his studies in Colchester and while working as a registered nurse for Amberley Lodge care home in Surrey, run by Care UK, he applied for a place on the Open University’s pre-registration nursing programme.

The NMC alleges that he falsified a signature on both the registration agreement form and application form, falsely identified his manager and did not provide a reference from his line manager as required.

The NMC again alleges that the actions were dishonest. There is also an allegation that he committed plagiarism in one of his Open University assignments. A Care UK spokesperson said: “Mr Ajala was employed at Care UK between August 2009 and June 2011.

“During his time at Amberley Lodge there were never any issues raised about his performance or doubts cast on his ability to run the home.

“As soon as the allegations about the falsification of documents were made, we conducted an internal review and began disciplinary proceedings.

“These resulted in Mr Ajala being dismissed from his position and referred to the NMC.”

The University of Essex was unable to comment.