FG quits, withdraws exam malpractices charges against Adeleke
The Federal Government has withdrew the examination malpractices charges pressed against the former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke and four others.
This happened at the resumed hearing on Thursday, when the prosecution lawyer, Simon Lough said the state has amended the charge to exclude Adeleke, in view of his continued absence in court.
Senator Adeleke
Adeleke has failed to attend court since last year when he was granted permission, by the trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, to travel to the United States on medical grounds.
Lawyers to the defendants, led by Alex Izinyon (SAN) did not object to the prosecution’s decision to amend its charge.
They however disagreed with the prosecution on the appropriate order to be made; whether Adeleke should be simply discharged, based on the withdrawal of the charge against him, or whether he should be discharged and acquitted.
Justice Ekwo has fixed ruing on the issue for Friday (May 29).
The other defendants pleaded not guilty when they were re-arraigned on the amended seven-count charge.
Justice Ekwo agreed with the defence lawyers that the defendants should continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted them.
EyewitnessMedia had reported that Adeleke was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja in October 2018 along with Sikiru Adeleke (who is said to be the senator’s relative), Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (the school principal), Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (registrar) and Dare Samuel Olutope (teacher).
Ademola and Sikiru were 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 Examinations Council (NECO) examination of June/July 2017.
