A legal complaint filed in Seminole County Circuit Court alleges that Riggs College of Allied Health Sciences, an unaccredited nursing program operating out of a Longwood office plaza, systematically misled its student body. The lawsuit, brought by four former students, claims the institution failed to provide proper clinical training and arbitrarily prevented graduates from taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) despite their completion of required coursework.
Allegations of Deception and Arbitrary Enforcement
The plaintiffs assert that Riggs College was "deceptive" in its marketing, specifically regarding program duration. The school reportedly told licensed practical nurses they could become registered nurses within 15 to 16 months, yet routinely extended coursework to two, three or four years. Additionally, the suit claims clinical placements were made at long-term care facilities inconsistent with Registered Nurse (RN) program requirements.
According to the filing, while some classmates who failed to meet benchmarks were allowed to graduate and test, the plaintiffs were barred from sitting for the NCLEX even after meeting published school requirements. The students are seeking compensation for tuition, fees, out-of-pocket expenses and lost wages, alongside a judicial declaration confirming their eligibility to take the licensure exam.
State Oversight and Regulatory History
Riggs College of Allied Health Sciences opened in 2020 but has faced significant regulatory scrutiny. The Florida Board of Nursing placed the school on probation last year after few graduates passed the national licensing exam. Data from the board’s website indicates that only two of nine first-time test-takers have passed this year, as we reported in Florida Nursing School Shuttered After Federal Probe Into Fraudulent Student Rec.
In May, the Commission for Independent Education limited new enrollment to 40 students per year. The commission had questioned founder Oladimeji Adekunle regarding poor performance but allowed operations to continue under strict caps. This follows a broader context of Florida easing requirements for private nursing programs in 2009, which led to issues highlighted during the FBI’s 2023 "Operation Nightingale" probe into phony diplomas, as we reported in Georgia Inmate Allegedly Scammed Florida Hunters With Fake Leases Using Smuggled.
Legal Response and Financial Context
Oladimeji Adekunle and administrator Abiola Adekunle are named as defendants. Attorney Ali Kamalzadeh stated that the school disputes the allegations, which have not been adjudicated, and intends to defend against them vigorously, according to Telemundo.
The lawsuit highlights a financial disparity between Riggs and public institutions. Riggs charges $439 per credit hour without offering federal aid due to its lack of accreditation. In contrast, Seminole State College charges $104 per credit hour for in-state students and reported a 92% first-time NCLEX pass rate this year, compared to Riggs’ estimated 22%. The suit notes that three plaintiffs reside out-of-state, while one is from Orlando.
