THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said it could not go on with the trial of an accused operator of illegal universities in Nigeria, Mr. David Iornem, because of the on-going yearly Federal High Court judges’conference presently taking place in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

A statement by the Head of Media at the Commission, Folu Olamiti,said the case, which was to come up yesterday beforeJustice Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja, had been adjourned till November 24.

It would be recalled that the defendant is facing a 14-count charge on advanced fee fraud, racketeering and money laundering.

One of the charges read that Iornem between January 2012 and August 2013 with intent to defraud, induced Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the former ViceChancellor (VC), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), to pay $11,550 for the award of an academic doctoratedegree. He was also accused of obtaining $5,000 from oneAkinkuotu Albert Oluwatoyin under false pretence that the said victimhad been offered admission to pursue a Doctorate degree of Philosophyin Management at Commonwealth University, Belize, an illegal andunaccredited university.

The accused was also alleged to have at different times obtained $800from one Jamilu Rabiu Sani, an undercover operative of the ICPC asapplication form fee, N1million from Festus Uwakhemen Asikhna and$6,800 from Victor Ekpo Effiom, among others.