The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has obtained the conviction of Mr Olaniran Satiregun, founder and rector of the International College of Administration Science and Technology, Auta Balefi, Nasarawa State, for running fraudulent and unapproved academic programmes.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lafia on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, sentenced Satiregun to seven years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine. He was found guilty on three counts of obtaining money under false pretences, contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Anyalewa Onoja-Alapa, followed months of trial after Satiregun’s 2024 arraignment. Prosecuting counsel Mr Adesina Raheem presented evidence showing that the college, accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to run only four courses, had been illegally offering unapproved programmes since 2019.
Among the unauthorised courses were Nursing, Public Health, and Computer Science, which the college promoted using false claims of international partnerships and professional recognition.
One of the charges involved the fraudulent collection of ₦110,000 from a student, Mr Onmonya Daniel Ogah, under the guise of enrolling him in a three-year Public Health/Nursing programme that lacked NBTE accreditation.
Justice Onoja-Alapa also held the college liable, ordering a full refund of all fees paid by students on unaccredited courses and directing the immediate suspension of any programme outside its four approved offerings.
The ICPC described the ruling as a decisive step towards restoring credibility in Nigeria’s education sector.
Commission spokesperson Mr Demola Bakare said: “This conviction sends a firm warning to institutions engaging in academic fraud. The ICPC will continue to uncover and prosecute deceitful practices that exploit students across the country.”
The case forms part of the commission’s broader effort to shut down illegal schools and unregulated programmes preying on unsuspecting learners nationwide.