Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Julius Okojie, has denied receiving N20,000 bribe from the proprietor of an illegal university in Abuja to grant temporary approval to run the institution.
Drama played out at a Karu Chief Magistrate's Court on May 3, 2012 when Pius Nwachukwu, 47, the proprietor of Temple University Orozo told the court that Okojie granted his university temporary approval based on the "long existing relationship" they have.
Pius, who was arraigned by the NUC alongside his wife, Chika Nwachukwu, said he gave Okojie N20,000 "to fuel his car as a good friend" to secure a temporary license.
"In spite of the temporary approval given to me by Okojie, some group of armed policemen and staff of NUC invaded the school premises and arrested me and my wife, Chika, and took us to Karshi Police Station.
"We were detained at the station for four days and later charged to court, that we are operating an illegal university.
"I have a PhD certificate in Theology from Temple University International, my alma mater, and I am the representative of the school in Nigeria," he added.
Pius said he had so far enrolled 20 students for distance learning degree programmes and that he had just three members of staff.
The magistrate adjourned the case to June 13 for adoption of written addresses.
But the National Universities Commission (NUC) on Wednesday denied any link with the proprietor of the illegal university.
A statement released by the information unit of the executive secretary's office, signed by one Bukola Olatunji, described the whole event as "a sick joke". NUC's counsel had stated in court that the commission had recovered a fake temporary approval during a raid on the premises of the accused.
"Mr. and Mrs. Nwachukwu had used the fake temporary approval, which is now before the court to support the charge of forgery against them, and of deceiving unsuspecting victims of their operation. "To imagine that anyone would claim that all these were waived for N20,000 and such a story would receive the kind of attention it has been given is as regrettable as it is laughable," the statement said.
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