Olayiwola Matthew
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has re-arraigned Professor David Iornem and two organizations—Island Open University Inc. and Commonwealth University Inc.—on amended charges of certificate racketeering and money laundering.
Iornem is accused of defrauding Nigerians by offering fake admissions and fraudulent certificates through these unaccredited institutions, which he represented as legitimate universities. The case, which began in 2013, was put on hold after Justice A.R. Mohammed was elevated to the Court of Appeal. The trial has now been reassigned to Justice P.O. Lifu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to a statement by ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, the prosecution is ready to proceed with the trial. During a recent hearing, two witnesses were present, and Professor Iornem pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts against him. The professor, along with the two firms, also denied the additional charges brought against them.
In a bid to secure his release on bail, Iornem’s defense counsel applied for the same terms set by the previous judge, but the court raised the bail bond from ₦100,000 to ₦20 million, requiring two sureties, one of whom must be a civil servant of at least Level 14.
The prosecution’s first witness, Mr. Chidi Orji, a staff member of ICPC, testified about his role in the investigation. He described how he went undercover to obtain a degree for a fake applicant, paying an application fee of $800 to one of the accused firms. This formed part of the evidence leading to the re-arraignment of the defendants.
The case was adjourned to March 4, 2025, for the continuation of the trial. The ICPC continues to work with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to combat illegal degree-awarding institutions in Nigeria.
Source: The Punch