The Chairman of Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) of Sierra Leone, Professor Aliyageen Alghali has set the record straight over the controversies surrounded the alleged fake Dominion Christian University.

The statement from the TEC chairman came after the university held their graduation ceremony in a secluded backyard under a mango tree in Waterloo.

Videos of the graduation ceremony was shared on social media, with some citizens doubting the legitimacy of the university, and accusing the Inspector of General of Police, Ambrose Sovula of receiving a fake PhD certificate from the University.

On 16th March 2022, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) in a press release stated that the institution is not accredited to operate in Sierra Leone and directed them to cancel their planned award ceremony on 26th March.

In response, the management of Dominion University issued a press statement on Friday 1 April 2022, debunking the statement from TEC on their status in the country.

They said that they are globally recognized and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Western Area Rural District Council.

Prof. Aliyageen explained that, “Let me give you a short brief in order to reduce the speculations. In 2020 our attention was drawn to a graduation ceremony by a so called Dominion University located at Waterloo. We invited the Officers to the office and instructed them to close shop or apply for consideration as a Category C institution. They agreed, hence the purchase of an application form. The then Executive Secretary acknowledged receipt of their payment. They paid 5m to purchase the form. Universities pay 10m to purchase application form. They went away only to surface about a year after to submit the form and requested for evaluation for which 6m was paid (please check the dates on the receipts). Evaluation of University is not 6m. It is Category C institutions that pay 6m.

In January this year they deposited the completed application form. Evaluations of Category C Institutions are periodic. They were to be considered along with the next cohorts this April. They have not been evaluated, hence not registered or accredited. If they claim they are, let them show their certificate to the effect. Certificates are always given upon accreditation.

In March this year they sent invitations inviting members of the Commission to a convocation; then the current problems began. They were advised against holding any ceremony as they are considered illegal and not accredited. The Police was alerted. They too advised against holding any ceremony and on the proposed date sent a surveillance team to stop any ceremony. The reason why the ceremony was held in a secluded backyard under a mango tree. The perpetrators are currently detained at CID helping with further investigations.”