The European-American University has denied conferring an honorary doctorate degree on popular Hausa musician, Dauda Kahutu Rarara, describing the award as fraudulent.
The denial followed reports that Rarara and some others were honoured with doctorate degrees at a ceremony held on Saturday at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, which was attended by dignitaries including Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda.
In a statement published on its website, the university said it neither organised nor authorised the event, stressing that the individuals who paraded themselves as its representatives acted without its consent.
“The University has not authorized any convocation to be held in this location today, and this event has been organized fraudulently without the knowledge or consent of the University,” the statement read.
It added that the purported honorees, including Rarara, Alhaji Ahmed Saleh Jnr., Mustapha Abdullahi Bujawa and Tarela Boroh, were not recognised by the institution.
“All holders of degrees from the University are listed in the Register of Graduates… These individuals are not honorands of the University and have no legitimate connection with us,” the statement added.
The university also disowned persons it said falsely claimed to be members of its governing body or Nigerian representatives, including one Idris Aliyu and Musari Audu Isyaku, adding that their affiliations had been revoked.
It further explained that its current Vice Chancellor is Professor Luca Scotto di Tella de’ Douglas di Castel di Ripa, not Dr Josephine Egbuta who was earlier dismissed for misconduct.
The university maintained that it is legally established in France with a Royal Charter from the Kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara in Uganda, warning that it would involve Nigerian authorities to prosecute those behind the fake awards.