NECO Saga: Adeleke Arraigned, Passport Seized

Following the allegations of examination malpractice and impersonation, the Police has dragged Senator Ademola Adeleke before Justice I.E Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the September 22, governorship election in the State of Osun, was arraigned alongside one Sikiru Adeleke, the principal of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar school, Alhaji Aregbesola Muftau, the Registrar of the school, Gbadamosi Ojo and a teacher in the school, Dare Samuel Olutope.

The Prosecution accused the five defendants of committing the offence of examination malpractices by fraudulently, through impersonation, registering Adeleke and another Sikiru Adeleke, as students of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, in Ojo-Aro in Osun State, for the National Examination Council’s June/July 2017 Senior School Certificate Examination in February 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 two, 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 allegedly “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.

However, they all pleaded not guilty to the four counts preferred against them.

The arraignment which was initially stated for October 15 was stalled due to Sen. Adeleke’s absence from court, although the rest of the defendants were present. His lawyer, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), had reported to the judge that the serving senator could not be in court because he fell sick.

Due to the development, the judge adjourned till Wednesday and directed the prosecution to ensure that Adeleke was in court for the arraignment.

While in court today, the fourth and the fifth defendants, who were represented by Mr. Isaac Adeniyi during the previous proceedings of October 15, 2018, were not represented by any lawyer.

In his ruling, the judge noted that the the first, second and third defendants were entitled to be granted bail as they were presumed innocent and having been granted administrative bail by the police without any complaint of them flouting the bail conditions.

Considering Adeleke’s status as a serving senator, the judge granted bail to him based on self-recognition but with a directive that he must enter into a bond to assure the court that he would always be present in court for his trial.

The judge also directed him to deposit his passport with the registrar of the court, adding that he must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court.

The second defendant who was represented by Mr. Nathaniel Oke (SAN) and the third defendant by Mr. Abdusalami Abdulfatai, were granted bail in the sum of N2m each with one surety each who must be a “responsible” citizen and owner of a landed property in Abuja. They are also to deposit their passports with the court’s registry and are not to travel out of the country without the court’s permission.

However, the fourth and fifth defendants were remanded in prison due to the absence of their lawyer and failure to file their bail applications ahead of the proceedings.

Following a request from the prosecuting counsel, Lough, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter till December 17, 18 and 19 for the commencement of trial. The judge directed that the prosecution must ensure that its witnesses were available in court on those dates.

End

‎
Photos; school register showing dropping out and Police invitation letter