THE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 22, 2018, Osun state governorship election, Senator Ademola Adeleke was on Wednesday arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on four count charges, bordering on examination malpractices.
Adeleke, who was arraigned along with his brother, Sikiru Adeleke and three others, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on self-recognizance by the Court.
The others are, Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (Principal, Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Ojo-Aro Osun State), Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (school Registrar) and Dare Samuel Olutope (a teacher).
Upon their arraignment yesterday by the Federal Government, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
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Counsel to Senator Adeleke, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), drew the attention of the court to a bail application dated and filed on the 12 October 2018 on behalf of his client.
He informed the court that Senator Adeleke is currently enjoying administrative bail granted him by the police and has not jumped bail since, adding that Adeleke is a serving Senator and would always appear in court for his trial if granted bail.
In the same vein, counsel to the second and third defendants, Nathaniel Oke (SAN)and Abdulsalam Abdulfatah respectively moved the bail applications for their client, while the court declined attempt by Oke to move an oral application for the 4th and 5th defendants.
As the prosecution counsel, Simon Laugh did not oppose the bail applications for the defendants, the trial court, Justice I. E. Ekwo, in a short ruling, exercised his discretion and granted the bail applications as prayed and added that the prosecution, while not opposing the motion admitted that the defendants are all on administrative bail.
Consequently, the judge announced bail for Adeleke on self-recognition, while the 2nd and 3rd defendants are in the sum of N2 million each.
As part of his bail conditions, Sen Adeleke shall sign an undertaken to always attend trial and must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court.
The second and third defendants on their part, are to provide a surety each in the sum of N2 million. The sureties, in addition, shall be owners of landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, which shall be verified by the registrar of the court.
They are also to submit their international passports to the court and must not travel out of the country without obtaining permission from the court.
However, Justice Ekwo ordered the remand in prison custody of the 4th ans 5th defendants, Gbadamosi Ojo (school Registrar) and Dare Olutope (a teacher) since they did not apply for bail and subsequently adjourned till December 17, 18 and 19, 2018 to commence trial.
In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/156/2018, the defendants are accused of fraudulently, through personation, registering as students of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Ojo-Aro Osun State to enable them sit for the National Examination Council (NECO) examination of June/July 2017.
In the first count preferred against the defendants, the prosecution alleged that the five defendants “conspired to commit felony, to wit: examination malpractices, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 10 of the Examination Malpractices Act Cap E15 LFN 2004”.
In count 2, the prosecution alleged that the three members of staff of the school acted in concert by aiding and abetting “the commission of examination malpractice by personation” when they alleged “registered Senator Ademola Adeleke and Sikiru Adeleke” while knowing or having “reasons to believe that they are not students of the school”.
The alleged offence was said to be contrary to Section 9(1) of the Examination Malpractices Act Cap E15 LFN 2004.
In count three, the two Adelekes were accused of acting in concert, and “personated as students of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School when you fraudulently registered as students of the school in the June/July 2017 NECO”.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 3(2) of the Examination Malpractices Act Cap E15 LFN 2004.
The fourth count accused the three members of staff of the school of “acting in concert” and while “saddled with the responsibilities of registering students of your school in the June/July 2017 NECO examination, breached that duty by registering Senator Ademola Adeleke and Sikiru Adeleke as students of your school in the June/July 2017 NECO examination when you know or had reasons to believe that they are not students of the school”.
The fourth count was said to be contrary to Section 10(a) and punishable under Section 3(2) of the Examination Malpractices Act Cap E15 LFN 2004.
Where is former Minister of finance?
For Tribunal not to declare him the winner of the past Election abi……..
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Rubbish. God bless and protect Hon Adeleke. God bless innocent Nigerians