In a landmark judgment, a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced the provost of Adonai Advanced Institute of Management, Samson Orijugo, to three years’ imprisonment for forgery. The court found Orijugo guilty of forging a notification of result on the letterhead of Lagos State University (LASU), falsely representing that Adonai Institute was affiliated with LASU.
The case began in 2015 when Orijugo issued a notification of result to a student, John Chibuzor Okoro, using LASU letterhead. The student’s mother, Patience Okoro, had met Orijugo in a commercial bus in 2012, where he introduced himself as the provost of a Benin Republic-based institution affiliated with LASU. He gave her flyers and convinced her to enroll her son in the institution. Okoro later visited Orijugo’s residence, where he showed her transcripts translated into English on LASU letterhead.
However, when Okoro made independent enquiries at the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, officials informed her that the school was recognized but were unaware of any English or French sections. Despite this, Okoro enrolled her son in the institution and made several payments for tuition, medical fees, mobilization, and convocation, often without receipts.
It was not until 2018, when her son sought employment, that the documents were discovered to be fake. This led to severe psychological trauma for the student. The prosecution, led by Mrs. T. Olanrewaju-Daud, called three witnesses and tendered seven exhibits, including letters from LASU confirming that Adonai Institute of Management was not affiliated with the university.
In her judgment, Justice Modupe Nico-Clay held that the notification of the result tendered before the court was issued by Orijugo and was forged. The court relied on evidence establishing that Adonai Institute had no affiliation with LASU, contrary to the representations made to the student and his mother.
The judge rejected the defense’s argument that the prosecution ought to have called a LASU official, ruling that the documentary evidence from LASU was sufficient. “The document was presented as genuine on an LASU letterhead to create the false impression of affiliation,” the court held, adding that Orijugo, as an administrator of the institution, knew the claim was false.
Justice Nico-Clay consequently convicted Orijugo on both counts of forgery and sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment. This judgment serves as a warning to individuals and institutions that engage in fraudulent activities, and it highlights the importance of verifying the authenticity of documents and affiliations.
The case also underscores the need for parents and students to be vigilant when seeking educational opportunities, especially when dealing with institutions that claim to be affiliated with reputable universities. It is essential to conduct thorough research and verify the credentials of any institution before enrolling or making payments.
In conclusion, the conviction and sentencing of Samson Orijugo serve as a reminder that forgery and fraudulent activities will not be tolerated in Nigeria. The judiciary will continue to play a crucial role in upholding the law and protecting citizens from exploitation. As the education sector continues to evolve, it is essential for institutions and individuals to maintain the highest standards of integrity and transparency to ensure that students receive quality education and genuine credentials.
