Sierra Leone News: ACC Exonerates Prof. Femi Gbenga
By Stephen V. Lansana
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has exonerated Professor Ajayi Emmanuel Femi Gbenga, former Head of Department of Law at the Njala University, for allegedly using “fake University Credentials to gain employment in a Public Institution”.
The Commission said in a letter written to the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Njala University on Tuesday, that “barring those concerns, our investigation has established no evidence of falsification of certificates and identity; and no fraudulently or unlawfully acquiring public benefits or service.”
It could be recalled that during the course of the investigation, Professor Gbenga was detained by the ACC for conferring an advantage on himself by allegedly using fake University Credentials to gain employment in a Public Institution, but he was later released on bail on the basis of ill health.
Professor Gbenga holds PhD (Commercial Law), MA (Conflicts & Peace), LLM (Corporate & Maritime Law), Barrister at Law (BL), Master International Law and Diplomacy (MILD), LL B (Hons), Distinction in Advanced Maritime Studies, MBA (Marketing & General Management), BSc (Hons) Industrial Relations & Personnel Management.
ACC said in a letter that it received an anonymous complaint sometime in July 2019, of a staff of the University using false identity hinging on “Deceiving the Principal and fraudulently or unlawfully acquiring public service or benefits”. It was alleged that Professor Ajayi Emmanuel Femi Gbenga, being an employee of the Institute of Social Sciences Administration and Management, School of social sciences and Law, Njala University, Bo Campus, fraudulently presented questionable academic documents, as credentials for him to be appointed as the Head of the Njala University Law School.
“We have had the chance to undertake a thorough investigation into the report in Sierra Leone, Nigeria and other places of interest. It was established that Professor Ajay Emmanuel Femi Gbenga is a Nigerian, a Teacher of Law and a permanent academic staff at the Institute of Social Sciences Administration and Management, School of Social Sciences and Law, Njala University, Bo Campus making him a public officer in Sierra Leone, receiving salaries from the consolidated revenue fund,” the ACC said.
According to ACC, their findings revealed that from 1991 to 1996, he was enrolled at the University of Ilorin in Ilorin State pursuing a Master of Business Administration [Professional a full-time course. This is Supported by records in the Student Personal file with his photograph and correct details (which we physically accessed). From 1993 to 1999, Professor Ajayi Emmanuel Femi Gbenga was enrolled at the University of Ibadan in Ibadan State pursuing an LLB, a full-time course with five years course duration. This is supported by records in the Student Personal Records File at the University or Ibadan.
ACC stated in the letter that, on July 7, 1999, the University of Lagos awarded him a Master of International Law and Diplomacy (MILD) — 1998- 1999. This is supported by documents in the student personal records file.
ACC further stated that, on October 13, 2000, he was awarded a Certificate of Call to the Bar after the completion of a one-year full time course at the Nigeria Law School. This is confirmed by the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Abuja.
“With regards the allegation that Professor Ajayi was collecting money from students for the purpose of building a Law School in Bo, statements obtained from executive members of the Law society, indicate that it was the students who opted to pay, and that the said funds were collected and appropriated by the students themselves and not Professor Gbenga Ajayi,” ACC said in the letter.
ACC said that the above findings indicate that between 1993 and 1996, he was pursuing two full time courses in Ibadan University and Ilorin University in both Ibadan State and Ilorin State. “Between 1998 and 2000, while he was reading Masters at Lagos State University, Masters of Law (Maritime and Commerce) 2000- 2004 and the University of Lagos Master of International Law and Diplomacy (MILD) (1998- 1999); he was also in the Nigerian Law School. This we find questionable as he seems to be pursuing multiple full-time courses at different geographical locations at practically the same time; but the records confirm attendance,” ACC said.
ACC explained that the documents from the Students’ Personal Record Files bear the name, pictures and date of birth of Professor Ajayi Gbenga. “However, what remains unresolved is the fact that there are clashes of dates in respect of certificates awarded and the periods of study; and also, his claims to the title of professorship. What he used to claim professorship are “visiting professorship” letters from Universities in Uganda and Kenya.”
ACC said that the investigation is complete and the file has been closed.