The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has banned Dominion Christian University form conferring ‘Doctorate Degrees’ in the country. This came after the commission issued a warning to the institution to stop its operations in the country.

TEC in a press release said the Proprietor and other members of staff of the university are currently detained at the CID since 1st April 2022 and helping with the investigation as to how a doctorate degree ceremony was held on 26th March 2022, despite advice from both the Police and the commission, for the not to go ahead with the event, on the basis that the institution was not a legal entity. The commission had also issued a press release on 16th March 2022, advising the public to dissociate itself form any such degree conferment event.

The commission stated that the initial proposed venue, which was under surveillance by the Police was abandoned and a secluded backyard of a dwelling house used instead. TEC meanwhile has ordered the closure of the said institution with immediate effect.

TEC also instructed the SLP to act accordingly and that those found culpable face justice. The public has also been warned that degrees awarded at Dominion are of no effect and unrecognized in Sierra Leone.

In another development, an online Institution, African Graduate University (AGU) distance itself from any relationship with Dominion Christian University in either Sierra Leone or elsewhere. AGU said it has never participated I any of the activities of Dominion not excluding the most recent ‘graduation’ in Sierra Leone that led to arrests.

According to Politico, officials at AGU International expressed ‘disappointment’ that a certain Dr. Idris John Lahai should connect them to Dominion and the TEC actions, thereby painting and circulating a dark image of AGU to the whole world.

AGU further sees it as a premediated plan to further destroy the personalities of Professor Mohamed Yamba Bangura who is the West Africa AGU Commissioner, Ambrose Sovula – Inspector General of Police, Umar Paran Tarawallie Clerk of Parliament and many others who have graduated from AGU since its establishment.

AGU said all their awards and awardees are not fake and that the institution is accredited internationally. They threatened to take legal action against those damaging the image of their institution, graduates, and students. AGU is said to be an online university and a legal entity registered by the Government of Uganda with a certificate of incorporation.