The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Osun State, Ademola Adeleke has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged examination malpractice.
Adeleke was on Wednesday arraigned alongside four others in a four-count charge for personation and registering as students of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Ojo-Aro Osun State to enable him sit for the National Examination Council (NECO) examination of June/July 2017.
The offences contravene Section 10 of the Examination Malpractices Act Cap E15 LFN 2004.
The others are: the senator’s relative, Sikiru Adeleke; the principal of the school, Aregbosola Muftau; the registrar of the school, Gbadegesin Thomas Ojo; and a teacher in the school, Dare Samuel Olutope.
Following the plea of not guilty by all the defendants, Justice Edward Eko granted the lawmaker bail on self-recognition.
The judge ordered that he is however to deposit his international passport with the court registrar, while he can only travel out of the country on the court’s approval.
The judge directed Senator Adeleke to sign a bond guaranteeing that he will attend the trial till end.
The judge ordered the other two defendants: Sikiru Adeleke and Muftau to produce the sum of N2m bail bonds and one surety each in like sum.
According to the judge, the sureties must have a landed property in the FCT, which titles will be verified by the registrar of the court.
Prosecution counsel, Simon Lough, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, did not object to the bail, explaining that the defendants, who were already on Police administrative bail, did not abuse the terms of their bail.
Meanwhile, the judge directed the remand of Ojo and Olutope after refusing an oral application for their bail by defence lawyer, N.O.Oke (SAN).
The defendants did not come with their own lawyers to make a written application as demanded by the judge.
Adeleke contested the September 22 and 27 governorship elections in Osun State alongside other candidates. But Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner.
The case has been adjourned to December 17, 18 and 19 for continuation of trial.
