The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has re-arraigned Professor David Iornem alongside two organizations—Island Open University Inc. and Commonwealth University Inc.—on fresh charges of certificate fraud and money laundering.
The re-arraignment follows amendments to the initial charges filed against them.
Prof. Iornem is accused of orchestrating a scheme that defrauded unsuspecting Nigerians by offering admissions and issuing certificates from institutions that are not accredited.
The case, which first went to trial in 2013, was stalled after Justice A.R. Mohammed, the presiding judge, was elevated to the Court of Appeal.
Consequently, the case has been reassigned to Justice P.O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where proceedings resumed on Wednesday.
ICPC’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, explained that the prosecution, led by counsel David Nwaze, expressed readiness to proceed with the trial. During the session, Prof. Iornem pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges against him.
Additionally, on behalf of the second and third defendants, he entered not-guilty pleas to two additional counts, numbered 13 and 14.
One of the key charges states,“That you, David Iornem between January 1 to December 31, 2012, and on various dates thereafter, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, conspired with one Bruce Robert Duncan, and other persons at large to obtain money for yourselves by means of an advertisement published by you on the internet in which you offered admission to whosoever would apply to you as a Consultant/Academic Adviser for admission into Commonwealth University Belize which you falsely represented to be a foreign university based in Belize, when you knew that the said Commonwealth University Belize is neither accredited nor authorised to operate as a university in Belize, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) and Section 1 (1)(a) and punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
During the hearing, defense counsel applied for bail under conditions previously granted by the former presiding judge.
However, Justice Lifu imposed stricter terms. The new bail conditions include raising the bond from ₦100,000 to ₦20 million. Additionally, two sureties are now required, one of whom must be a civil servant at Level 14 or higher. All other original conditions remain in effect.
In presenting the prosecution’s case, the first witness, Mr. Chidi Orji, an ICPC official, testified about the investigation.
He revealed that the National Universities Commission had lodged a petition with the ICPC, prompting an inquiry into illegal degree-awarding institutions across the country.
Orji detailed his role as an undercover operative, assuming the identity “Jamilu Rabiu Sani” to gather evidence. Under this guise, he sought admission and paid $800 to the third defendant, claiming it was for an application fee and a good faith deposit.
The court adjourned the case until March 4, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
