Fake professor, others arrested for operating illegal varsity

ICPC Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission and the National University Commission on Friday arrested the proprietor of Richmond Open University, Enugu, “Professor” Mazi Chris Okoro for allegedly operating an illegal institution.

Also arrested were the son of the university’s proprietor and four other staff of the institution.

 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.

Items recovered from them included a large quantity of West African Examination Council and diploma certificates, doctorates, masters and bachelors’ degrees as well as honorary doctorate degrees.

It was learnt that 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.

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.

 Okoro reportedly said, “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 judgement in my favour.”