Alleged exam fraud: Sen Adeleke absence stalls trial

By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

 

The trial of Senator Ademola Adeleke, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last governorship election in Osun State, was stalled on Monday owing to his absence in court.

Adeleke, who represented Osun West Senatorial District in the 8th Senate, is being tried before a Federal High Court in Abuja, with four others on charges of examination malpractices.

The others are: Sikiru Adeleke (who is said to be the Senator’s relative) Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (Principal of the school where the offces were allegedly committed), Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (school Registrar) and Dare Samuel Olutope (a teacher in the school).

The five were arraigned on October 31, 2018 on four-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/156/2018 filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

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 Examination Council (NECO) examination of June/July 2017.

The other three defendants were accused of aiding the commission of the alleged offence.

They pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.

Trial has since commenced in the case, with the prosecution calling witnesses, until May 31, 2019 when Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, rejected the prosecution’s request for stay of proceedings and agreed to Adeleke’s medical trip abroad.

At the resumption of proceedings on Monday, Adeleke was absent, the defence team, led by Alex Izinyon (SAN) explained that the 1st defendant was not in court because he was undergoing medical treatment.

The defence tendered a document it referred to as a medical report issued by a hospital – Emmanuel Medical Centre, based in Osogbo (Osun State’s capital).

Prosecution’s lead lawyer, Simon Lough did not object to the content of the letter and the defence’s request for an adjournment.
Justice Ekwo then, adjourned until March 3, 2020 for the continuation of trial.

The document, dated October 3, 2019 and signed by Dr. Tunde Afolabi, was headed: “Medical report on Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke/Male/57 years/F Card 000102”

It reads: “I hereby wish to present medical report on Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke, who has been my patient over 10 years ago, acting in capacity as Adeleke dynasty family physician.

Read Also; Senate okays Adeleke as NCC commissioner

“He presented early hour of Friday 12th October 2018 with signs and symptoms of vomiting and passage of loose and water stool.

“Before presentation, he has moved bowel about 10 times and repeated episode of vomiting.

“At presentation, he was lethargic, weak and severely dehydrated, febrile (temp: 3.80c), no pedal swelling. Blood pressure was 90/50 mmHg and pulse rate of 112 beats/min.

“He was admitted and resuscitated as a case of gastroenteritis with background problem of poorly treated malaria. He has since been on admission with the following medication.IV Fluid Ringer Lactate 1 L 8 hourly, IV Cipro tab 200mg twice daily for 24 hours, Antimalarial, IV Metronidazole 500mg thrice daily for 24 hours, ORS 200ml/loose stool. and about 1,000 litres has been administered.

“He is fairly stable now and has been placed on observation. However, he will require some days off to allow for recuperation and to complete his medications.”

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