President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris to suspend the investigation of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in next Saturday’s elections in Osun state, Senator Ademola Adeleke, for alleged exam malpractice.
The police yesterday summoned Adeleke and four others to report to the police Special Investigation Panel in Abuja for arraignment in court.
He and the other suspects will face a charge of examination malpractice, criminal conspiracy, impersonation, the police said.
However, a source in the presidency confirmed to newsmen that Buhari had ordered the police chief to stop the invitation of the PDP candidate until after the September 22 governorship election in the state.
“The President has ordered that Adeleke should not be invited until after Saturday’s election,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, in a statement invited Adeleke to report to the Special Investigation Panel, Force Headquarters, Abuja immediately for arraignment in court
Also invited in connection with the case are Mr. Sikiru Adeleke, Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (Principal of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Egbedore LGA, Osun State), Mr. Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (School Staff responsible for the registration of candidates for NECO), Mr. Dare Olutope (School Teacher, who facilitated the commission of the crime).
A statement by the force spokesperson acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, yesterday in Abuja said that the invitation was in connection with alleged examination malpractice, criminal conspiracy, impersonation, breach of duty as well as aiding and abetting.
Moshood said the police in Osun on July 21 received and acted on an actionable intelligence about an ongoing examination malpractice involving Sen. Adeleke and Sikiru Adeleke at Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School in the state.
He said that when the police arrived at the school, only Sikiru Adeleke was found seated for the examination while Sen. Adeleke’s seat was vacant.
The spokesman said that further investigation revealed that both Adeleke and his brother, Sikiru registered and were sitting for the 2017 NECO as internal candidates, impersonating students of the school.
“This crime was facilitated by the principal of the school and two other members of staff of the school for which they are under investigation and being charged to court,” he said.
He said that the school’s principal, Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau, the staff responsible for registration, Mr Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo, and a teacher, Mr Dare Olutope, were arrested on July 21.
The spokesperson said Adeleke was arrested on July 27, while Sikiru Adeleke was arrested on August 8.
He alleged that Senator Adeleke made a cautionary statement and admitted that he registered for the 2017 NECO examinations as an internal student in the said school and didn’t sit for the examination. Moshood said that Sen. Adeleke and four others were arrested, investigated, granted bail and will be charged to court.
The police said: “The Ojo/Aro 2017 NECO, SSCE school photo album (School’s copy), with Senator Ademola Adeleke and Sikiru Adeleke Photographs in school uniform in the said album.
“Senator Ademola Adeleke in the NECO 2017 Result obtained claimed that he was born on 12th June 1997 but in his statement to the Police, Senator Ademola Adeleke wrote 13th May 1960 as his Date of Birth.
“The photographs of both Senator Ademola Adeleke and Sikiru Adeleke appearing side by side in the photo album have no NECO stamps on them.
“Senator Ademola Adeleke and four others were arrested, investigated, granted bail and being charged to court.
“Charges of Examination Malpractice, Criminal Conspiracy, Personation, Breach of Duty, Aiding and Abetting against Senator Ademola Adeleke (PDP Governorship Aspirant in the 22nd September, 2018 Gubernatorial Election in Osun State) and four (4) others namely; MR Sikiru Adeleke, Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (Principal of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Egbedore LGA, Osun State), Mr Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (School Staff responsible for the registration of candidates for NECO), Mr Dare Olutope (School Teacher who facilitated the commission of the crime) have been filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja under the Examination Malpractice Act, CAP E15, 2004 today, Wednesday, 19th September, 2018.
Contacted, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said: “ I don’t know anything about that”.
