Open fraud: University proprietor in Enugu arrested for operating illegal institution

by Chi Ibe

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The proprietor of Richmond Open University, Enugu, Chris Okoro has been arrested for operating an illegal institution.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission and the National University Commission also took his son and four other staff of the institution into custody saying Okoro claimed that he bagged his professorship by “convention” instead of merit.

“I do not have any registration with NUC because I opened this school as a distant learning institution. This university has been operating since 2005 when a court gave judgment in my favour,” Okoro reportedly said.

Authorities seized a large quantity of West African Examination Council and diploma certificates, doctorates, masters and bachelors’ degrees as well as honorary doctorate degrees.

[READ: 5 lecturers sack, 10 demoted at the University of Calabar for “academic dishonesty” ]

The Punch reports:

 The ICPC officials also interrogated a Reverend Sister in-charge of the Luminary International Centre for Health and Alternative Medicine which had metamorphosed into Society for Energy Health with its headquarters at Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The ICPC officials who raided the university located at 31, Ziks Avenue, Enugu, immediately handed over the suspects to the police at Uwani Police Divisional Headquarters, Enugu.

It was learnt that Okoro said he could not remember the total number of his graduates in each academic session.

When asked to name his the vice-chancellor as well as members the senate committee of the institution, he said he could not recollect the names of any of the principal officers.

 

 

Comments (2)

  1. ILLEGAL CLOSURE OF RICHMOND OPEN UNIVERSITY

    Notice is hereby given to the General Public 10 note, that Richmond Open University is not an illegal private university as affirmed in the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No FHC/EN/CS/76 dated Friday 14th day of July 2006

    The Federal High Court judgment in the suit which was instituted by the University against the National University Commission, the Inspector General of Police, the Federal Government of Nigeria and three others made an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, that is the National University Commission, the Federal Government of Nigeria and it’s agencies from interfering in the affairs of Richmond Open University, that judgment is still subsisting as it has not been overturned by the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court Of Nigeria.

    Therefore the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) illegal invasion, sealing off of the university, arresting and detaining the proprietor Professor Mazi Chris Okoro and six other staffs is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void. The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission being an agent of the Federal Government cannot violate the Federal High Court judgment which is a decree/law that Richmond Open University is not an illegal university.

    The public must note that the Federal High Court judgment further declared that Richmond Open University is a duly established and legal university within the context of the. NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION and all the enabling statutes, for the dissemination of information, knowledge, ideas and opinion.

    The general public and students of the Richmond Open University and all people of goodwill who believe in the democratic principles are reminded to discountenance and condemn the illegal invasion by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and sealing off of the University in the face of a subsisting Federal High Court judgment against the Federal Government, National Universities Commission and their agents as their illegal action tantamount to anarchy and disrespect to the judiciary which is the sole arbiter in all maters between the State and her citizens.

    The Federal High Court judgment in favor of the Richmond Open University further made an order for exemplary/aggravated damages in the sum of N5 MILLION NAIRA against the National University Commission, Federal Government of Nigeria and two others, the public must note therefore that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) use of barbaric force against the Richmond Open University is illegal and must be condemned in all its entirety.

    The illegal and forceful sealing off of the Richmond. Open University by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the, National University Commission with several armed fierce looking policemen armed with assault rifles is an unconstitutional act in flagrant violation of the subsisting court judgment against the National University Commission, the Federal Government and her agencies. By this illegal and unconstitutional act against a law abiding corporate citizen, Richmond Open University, the National University Commission has, demonstrated a clear invitation to anarchy and totalitarianism which are anti-thesis to democracy and constitutional Government.

    The West African School Certificates which were seized from Richmond Open University by the ICPC are bonafide and genuine certificates issued by West African Examination Council (WAEC) to students of the Institute of Journalism, Management and Continuing Education for three consecutive years (1988, 1989 and 1990) being an accredited WAEC Centre and it is an associate school to Richmond Open University. The certificates arc genuine and were not printed by the Richmond Open University as the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) false news report is given a negative impression to the news media. Old students of the Institute come at their own convenient time to collect these certificates now seized by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission along with other items taken away from the Richmond Open University.

    The students of Richmond Open University are reminded to remain calm, steadfast and be rest assured that the management of Richmond Open University will constitutionally deal with this illegal, and forceful closure as the University has absolute faith and confidence in the independence of the judiciary and the law courts, no matter how difficult it may look, we will surely surmount this illegal action of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and National University Commission.

    Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!
    Long live Constitutional Democracy in Nigeria!!

    Signed

    Mazi Prof. Chris Okoro
    Proprietor/Director Richmond Open University
    20 / 05 / 2013

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