ICPC Re-Arraigns Senator Iornem for Allegedly Operating Illegal University

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission( ICPC)  has re-arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Senator David Iornem for allegedly operating an illegal University in Abuja.

The ICPC  slammed a fourteen- count charge on the accused bothering on fraudulent collection of money amounting to 17,300 United State Dollars from three different people to secure  admission into the University.

The ICPC had in August 2013 arraigned the accused on a three-count charge of committing offences contrary to section 1 (1) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

He was re-arraigned by the Commission following an amendment to the three-count charge to fourteen count charge to which he pleaded not guilty.

Those who fell victim of the accused persons are the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, Akinkuotu Albert Oluwatoyin and Jamilu Rabiu Sani.

Prosecution counsel, Ebenezer Shogunle told the court that the Commission was ready to bring its witnesses to prove its case against the accused. He therefore asked for a short adjournment.

Counsel to the accused person, J.I Abagu brought an application praying the court to admit the accused person to bail.

The Prosecution did not oppose the application for bail but however prayed the court to make the bail in a way that would enable the accused person to be available to stand his trial.

Ruling on the bail application, on Tuesday 25th March 2014 the trial judge,Justice A.R Mohammed granted the application since the prosecution did not object to it.

He admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum who must be a civil servant in the employment of the Federal Government or any of its agencies.
He adjourned the case to 14th May 2014 for trial.

Some of the fourteen count charge read:
*That you, David Iornem, (m) on or about the 4th  day of July, 2012 at Abuja,  with intention to defraud, attempted to obtain the total sum of $11,550 (Eleven thousand, five hundred and fifty Dollars) from one Professor Is-haq Oloyede by falsely representing yourself to be “Professor David Iornem” and solicited payment of the said sum of $11,550 (Eleven thousand, five hundred and fifty Dollars) from Professor Is-haq Oloyede for the award of an academic doctorate degree of COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, BELIZE when you know that the said Commonwealth University, Belize is a fake and unaccredited university owned and operated by you, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

*That you, David Iornem, (m) on or about the 21st  day of January, 2013 at Abuja, with intention to defraud, obtained the sum of $5,000 (Five thousand United States Dollars) from one Akinkiotu Albert Oluwatoyin by falsely representing yourself to be ‘Professor David Iornem’ and pretending to offer admission to the said Akinkuotu Albert Oluwatoyin to pursue a  degree of doctor of philosophy in management of the COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, BELIZE when you know that the said Commonwealth University Belize is a fake and unaccredited university owned and operated by you and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006.