The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of one Mr. Olaniran Satiregun for running fake and unapproved courses in his college in Nasarawa State.
Satiregun was the Founder/Rector of the International College of Administration Science and Technology, Auta Balefi, Nasarawa State.
He was first arraigned alongside the institution in 2024 on a three-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, contrary to Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.
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ICPC’s Prosecutors, led by Mr. Adesina Raheem, had, in the course of the trial, detailed how the two defendants deceived unsuspecting applicants by offering admissions to study courses that were not accredited by the regulatory body.
Investigations revealed that the institution only got approval from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to run four courses.
However, it was discovered that the institution offered admissions to some applicants between 2019 and 2021 to study courses such as Nursing, Public Health, and Computer Science.
One of the counts against the college and it’s Rector read: “That you, International Professional College of Administration Science and Technology Nigeria Ltd and Satiregun Olaniran (M) between 2019 and 2021 in Auta Balefi, Nasarawa State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court by false pretense, and with intent to defraud did obtain for yourselves the sum of N110,000 (One Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira) from Onmonya Daniel Ogah as school fees and cost of admission letter for being admitted to study Three years professional programme in public health/nursing science and (Bsc) degree conversion with recognized international university (after graduation) and/or professional certificate (CIA,CICN,IDPMN,NIMN,CICMAN, ICAN, NIM,RSA ETC) in International Professional College of Administration Science and Technology Nigeria Ltd, whereas International Professional College of Administration Science and Technology Nigeria Ltd, Nasarawa State does not have the approval to run three year programme in Public Health /Nursing Science or award degree in Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 Sub Section (1) (a) and punishable under Section 1 Sub-Section (3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act 2006.”
While delivering a judgement on the case, Honourable Justice Anyalewa Onoja-Alapa of the Federal High Court, Lafia, Nasarawa State, found the two defendants guilty of all counts levelled against them.
The judge also sentenced the second defendant (Mr. Satiregun) to seven years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.
The judge further directed that all fees collected from unsuspecting students who were offered illegal courses at the college be refunded to them and that the institution should limit itself to just four courses approved by the relevant authority. (The Guardian)
