Professor, Rev. Sister, Arrested Over Illegal University In Enugu

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) in collaboration with the National University Commission (NUC) on Friday arrested the sole proprietor of the Richmond Open University, Enugu, “Professor” Mazi Chris Okoro, a self-appointed “professor of journalism,” for allegedly operating an illegal institution.

Also picked up by the law enforcement agents were a Reverend Sister of the Catholic faith, the son of the university’s proprietor, and four other members of staff of the institution as well as a

The ICPC officials interrogated the 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.

The suspects were handed over to the Police at Uwani Police Divisional Headquarters, in the Enugu metropolis

Items recovered included a large quantity of WAEC and Diploma certificates, Doctorates, Masters and Bachelors’ degrees, as well as honourary doctorate degree.

“Professor” Okoro who claimed that he bagged his professorship by “convention” instead of merit, said he could not remember the total number of his graduates in each academic session, adding that he could not also recollect the names of the Vice Chancellor of his university as well as members the “Senate” of the institution.

Okoro further said that although his university was not registered or any of the courses offered in the institution accredited by the NUC, he was not perturbed since the Court gave him judgement to run the university as well as award honorary doctorate degrees to members of the public, adding that he was just rendering “humanitarian” service to the people.

“I do not have any registration with NUC because I opened this school as a distant learning institution,” he said.  “This university has been operating since 2005 [when] the court gave judgement in my favour. The NUC went on Appeal and failed. The Richmond University has nothing to do with NUC. It was formerly called Institute of Journalism and Continuing Education.  I have trained many people in this school and that is why I am a professor.  I teach journalism. I am a professor of journalism.”

But in a disclaimer by published in THISDAY of Wednesday (month?) 14, 2007, the NUC said: “The Management of the National Universities Commission wishes to draw the attention of all Nigerians, especially prospective candidates seeking admissions into Nigerian universities, parents and indeed all stakeholders, that the said Richmond Open University and its programmes are unapproved by the National Universities Commission/Federal Government.”

The ICPC/NUC Team Leader to Enugu, Chidi Orji, told reporters shortly after the inspection and subsequent closure of the affected institutions that the National Universities Commission is the only authority vested with the power under the National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institution)Act CAP E3 LFN 2004 to process applications for request for licenses from private institutions for degree awarding programmes.

Orji, who stated that the clamp down on illegal universities would be a periodic exercise, said that the   suspects would be charged to court after full scale investigations, stressing that the law is no respecter of any person and that both Richmond University and the Luminar International would remain shut.

Last Thursday, the Regulatory team also stormed the Atlantic University, Okija, in Anambra State, now known as Legacy University, but met empty classrooms as none of the students or officials of the university was around.

At Triumphal University, Omogho in Orumba Local Government Area of Anambra State, one Godwin Ayogu was invited by the ICPC for interrogation.
Yesterday, the Chairman of ICPC/NUC Task team, Professor Olu Aina, announced the start of the joint nationwide crackdown on illegal “degree-awarding” institutions in the country.  The ICPC had previously announced the existence of 67 of such institutions throughout the country.