The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, yesterday, docked one David Iornem, who was said to have used a bogus university to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

In a three-count criminal charge it entered before the court, the anti-graft agency alleged that the accused person collected various sums of money from people under the pretext that he would offer them admission into his university identified as Commonwealth University, Belize.

According to ICPC, the accused, on or about January 21, obtained $5,000 from one Akinkiotu Albert Oluwatoyin by falsely representing himself as Professor David Iornem, and collected $800 from one Jamilu Rabiu Sani as application form fee for admission into his “fake university.”

Besides, Iornem was said to have on or about July 4, 2012 in Abuja, with intention to defraud, attempted to obtain $11,550 from one Professor Ishaq Oloyede by falsely representing himself to be Professor David Iornem, saying the money was to enable the university to award an academic doctorate degree to his victim.

‘Not guilty’
Meantime, the accused person, yesterday, pleaded not guilty to the entire charge and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000.

The court, presided over by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, further ordered the accused to provide a surety in like sum, that his surety must be a Federal Civil Servant of the rank not lower than Level 8, who must swear to an affidavit of means and deposit his/her recent passport with the court.

Nevertheless, Justice Mohammed ordered that the accused be kept in Kuje prison pending when he is able to perfect his bail conditions.

The charge preferred against him yesterday read in part: “That you, David Iornem, (m) on or about the July 4, 2012 at Abuja, with intention to defraud, attempted to obtain $11,550 from one Professor Ishaq Oloyede by falsely representing yourself to be ‘Professor David Iornem.’

“Solicited payment of $11,550 from Professor Ishaq Oloyede for the award of an academic doctorate degree of Commonwealth University, Belize, when you know that the said University, Belize, is a fake and unaccredited university owned and operated by you.

“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.”