ICPC Re-Arraigns Professor For Alleged Fraudulent Degree Sales, Forged Documents In Edo
The first count accuses him of unlawfully issuing Bachelor of Science degrees and national diplomas without approval from key regulatory bodies such as the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), or the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has re-arraigned Prof. Godwin Ojo Igbinoba before Justice A. N. Erhabor of the Edo State High Court on a three-count charge bordering on degree peddling, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretences.
According to the ICPC, Igbinoba allegedly awarded academic degrees to members of the public through unaccredited institutions—namely, the Association of Professional Examination Board and the Association of Corporation of Chartered Secretaries, based in Benin City.
The first count accuses him of unlawfully issuing Bachelor of Science degrees and national diplomas without approval from key regulatory bodies such as the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), or the National Universities Commission (NUC).
In the second count, the professor is alleged to have forged a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate dated March 12, 2018, which he purportedly issued to one Mr. Osian Jude Tony. This act contravenes Section 465 and is punishable under Section 467 of the Criminal Code Act.
The third count involves claims that Igbinoba fraudulently obtained money from unsuspecting students by falsely representing that the institutions offered accredited programmes.
The students, believing the claims, paid tuition fees into various accounts linked to the organisation, unaware that the certificates they were pursuing held no official recognition.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Prof. Godwin (M), sometime between October 2007 and March 2018, at the Association of Professional Examination Board and Association of Corporation of Chartered Secretaries, located at 144 Ikpoba Slope, Benin City, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, falsely assumed authority to award school certificates, Bachelor of Science Degrees, and National Diplomas when the institution did not have the approval of the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education, or the accreditation of the National Universities Commission to conduct courses, offer certifications, or grant degrees.”
When the case resurfaced recently, the defendant appeared in court in person, represented by legal counsel, Mrs. P.E. Chukwu, while D.N. Okoro from the ICPC Legal Unit, Edo State Office, handled the prosecution.
The court was informed that the defendant had earlier been arraigned before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba.
However, due to the reassignment of the case to Justice Erhabor, the trial had to be started anew.
Igbinoba retook his plea and pleaded not guilty to all charges. The defence counsel applied for the continuation of the previously granted bail conditions, a request which the court approved.
The case was adjourned to May 19, 2025, for a hearing.
