Court Orders Adeleke’s Appearance Over School Cert Saga

By Sikiru Obarayese

Contrary to denial by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that no order was given by any court against its candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, an High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to produce the documents that would help determine whether or not the senator participated in the examination in 1981.

This was subject to the motion filed by the duo of Mr. Wahab Adekunle Raheem, and Mr. Adam Omosalewa Habeeb challenging the qualification of the senator on the ground that he does not possess the necessary qualification.

Part of the prayers sought in the motion was that Adeleke should stop parading himself as the governorship candidate of the PDP and that the INEC should start recognizing him as such.

In its ruling on Monday, Justice O.A Musa of the FCT High Court sitting in Bwari, ordered

Adeleke to appear before it on Wednesday next week to explain why he should not be disqualified from contesting the September 22 poll.

The judge also ordered the WAEC to produce the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination result of all candidates who sat for the May/June 1981 at Ede Muslim High School in Osun state.

This is with a view to determining whether or not the PDP candidate participated in the examination.

The Court then ordered the Director General of WAEC or any other designated officer of the council to depose to an affidavit confirming or denying that Adeleke, with candidate number 19645/149, sat for the examination.

It also granted other prayers, including the leave of the court to grant accelerated hearing of the suit, and the leave to serve the respondents, including Senator Adeleke, the PDP and the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) by substituted means.

Meanwhile, the PDP accused agents of the All Progressives Congress of circulating what he called fake news, saying no order of such was given by any court.

A statement by the Director-General, Ademola Adeleke Campaign Organisation, Akogun Lere Oyewunmi said, the PDP candidate has been declared fit and qualified to run for the governorship election.