COURT DISCHARGES, ACQUITS EXAM FRAUD CHARGES AGAINST SENATOR ADELEKE’S CO-ACCUSED.

From Kayode Lawal Abuja

A. Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday dismissed the examination fraud charges brought against a Secondary School Principal Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau and three others who were put on trial along with Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke by Police.

Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo discharged and acquitted the four persons accused of committing the alleged examination malpractices alongside former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the last election in Osun State.

The Judge freed the defendants from the seven amended count charge while delivering ruling in their no-case submission.

The Police had in 2018 arraigned Adeleke along with Sikiru Adeleke (who is said to be the Senator’s relative), Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (the school principal), Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (a school registrar) and Dare Samuel Olutope (a teacher) on a four count charge bordering on examination fraud.

However, the court had last year freed Adeleke from the charges after it was withdrawn by police.

The police predicated their action on the grounds that Adeleke had failed to make himself available for trial since he was granted leave to travel abroad on medical grounds.

The police then prayed the court to sever the charge, to exclude Adeleke from the trial and arraigned the remaining four on a seven count charge bordering on conspiracy.

After calling five witnesses the police closed its case which led to the filing of a no-case submission by the defendant.

In his ruling on the no-case submission, Justice Ekwo held that the prosecution failed to establish prima facie case having not proved the ingredients of the charge.

Ekwo further held that the burden of prove rested on the police which according to him failed woefully in discharging the burden by not calling relevant witnesses.

“No witness was called from the National Examination Council (NECO) to testify throughout the trial. To worsen the situation, no eye witness was called from the school on the day the alleged malpractices were perpetrated”, Ekwo held.

Besides, the Judge said that there was no iota of the ingredients of conspiracy supplied to the court by the police to establish that the four defendants conspired to commit the alleged malpractices.

“In all, the evidence of the five witnesses were so discredited during cross examination and so manifestly unreliable to warrant the defendants to be called upon to enter their defense in the charges against them.

“In conclusion, since the testimony of the prosecution is insufficient to warrant the defendants to open defense, I have no difficulty in upholding their no-case submission and discharge and acquit them from the charges. This charge is hereby dismissed”, the judge held.

OGUN PDP TASKS MAKINDE TO PUT HIS HOUSE IN ORDER

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has asked Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to put his house in order and stop creating unnecessary crisis in the party .

Governor Makinde had visited the Sagamu country home of former
governor, Gbenga Daniel, with some delegates in South West zone on Wednesday, asking him to take over the structure of PDP in the state for peace to reign.

But the Ogun State Chairman of PDP, Dr.Sikirulah Ogundele in a statement on Thursday in Abeokuta, says Makinde ‘s visit with former governor , Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola to Daniel, is just a mere personal visit .

The party condemned the visit by the governor and the Oyinlola led factional South West Zonal Reconciliation Committee, saying it is unnecessary because members in the state have started the process of reconciling their differences and ready to work together for its success in 2023.

Ogundele said that the governor should be more concerned about reconciling his differences with leaders of PDP in Oyo State and stop meddling into the internal affairs of the party in Ogun State.

“Our Committed leaders in the state and reconciliation committee are working tiredlessly to resolve differences among our members, to ensure a United and strong platform that will take over governance in the state in 2023”,he assured.

Ogundele who doubles as Chairman of South West PDP Chairmen Forum, re-assured members of the party to be calmed and should not be bothered about the visit of Makinde with some leaders within the zone to the former governor in Sagamu.

OGUN PDP TASKS MAKINDE TO PUT HIS HOUSE IN ORDER

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has asked Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to put his house in order and stop creating unnecessary crisis in the party .

Governor Makinde had visited the Sagamu country home of former
governor, Gbenga Daniel, with some delegates in South West zone on Wednesday, asking him to take over the structure of PDP in the state for peace to reign.

But the Ogun State Chairman of PDP, Dr.Sikirulah Ogundele in a statement on Thursday in Abeokuta, says Makinde ‘s visit with former governor , Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola to Daniel, is just a mere personal visit .

The party condemned the visit by the governor and the Oyinlola led factional South West Zonal Reconciliation Committee, saying it is unnecessary because members in the state have started the process of reconciling their differences and ready to work together for its success in 2023.

Ogundele said that the governor should be more concerned about reconciling his differences with leaders of PDP in Oyo State and stop meddling into the internal affairs of the party in Ogun State.

“Our Committed leaders in the state and reconciliation committee are working tiredlessly to resolve differences among our members, to ensure a United and strong platform that will take over governance in the state in 2023”,he assured.

Ogundele who doubles as Chairman of South West PDP Chairmen Forum, re-assured members of the party to be calmed and should not be bothered about the visit of Makinde with some leaders within the zone to the former governor in Sagamu.

BISI AKANDE @ 82: APC CHIEFTAIN, SULE ALAO, SALUTES AN ICON, DESCRIBES HIM AS LEADER OF ALL LEADERS

By Sunday Oguntuyi, Osogbo

A chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC in Osun state, Alhaji Sule Alao has joined the well wishers in congratulating the formal Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Adebisi Akande as he turned 82, just as he described him as a leader of all leaders.

Alao in a congratulatory message he personally signed, copies of which was made available with the newsmen in Osogbo on Saturday, eulogised Chief Akande’s doggedness in upholding the progressive fold.

According to him, “Chief Adebisi Akande is a man of courage, disciplinarian and thorough who have transversed in the area of human capital development.

He described the ‘ birthday boy’ as an epitome of knowledge of whom people, especially the young politicians must tap from his wealth of experience.

The APC Chieftain appluaded the immense contribution of the icon to the growth of democracy in the nation and Osun state in particular.

He however prayed for long life and prosperity for ‘Baba Omo Keekeekee’ as he foundly called.

FOLAKEMI ALONGE LAID TO REST

The late Mrs Folakemi Alonge, who worked with New Dawn Television of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) and an officer of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council has been finally committed to Mother Earth.

The event was preceded by the Special Commendation Service and Service of Songs organized by the NUJ, at the Press Centre, Iwo/Ibadan road, Osogbo in honour of the diseased.

Alonge died suddenly on Wednesday, January 13, after a brief illness.

In his welcome address, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu who described the late Alonge as the pillar of his administration, stated that he shared the driver’s seat of the Union with her, in her lifetime.

“I have lost a confidant, a committed member and a dear one”, Comrade Ajadosu stated.

The presiding Pastor of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oloke-Ibukun, Ido-Osun, Pastor S.O. Bukoye who presided over the service implored all those in attendance to use any opportunity given to them by God for the benefit of humanity.

Pastor Bukoye who noted the nothingness of life and the fact that nothing lasts forever, applauded the great virtues and commitment of Alonge to the Church and humanity in general.

One of the dignitaries, a former Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade decribed Alonge as a dedicated, committed and reliable personality whose experience and zeal cannot be quantified.

Others who shared different testimonies attested to a life well spent by a God-fearing person and rare professional in the field of Journalism and prayed for the repose of her soul and the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Late Alonge was survived by aged mother, children and grandchildren.

OSUN NUJ HOLDS SERVICE OF SONG IN HONOUR OF FOLAKEMI ALONGE ON SATURDAY

Service of song and commendation in honour of Mrs Folakemi Alonge holds on Saturday. .

A statement by the chairman of Nigeria Union of journalists,Osun state council,comrade Wasiu Ajadosu and secretary ,Mr Bukola Elufadejin indicated that the service will hold at NUJ press centre ,Iwo road,Osogbo by eleven o’clock in the morning.

The statement urged members of the union to be part of the event so as to give last respect to the committed and dedicated state officer of the union.

It enjoined members of the union,public office holders and members of the public to come to the event with their face masks while social distance as well as other protocols on covid 19 will be maintained at the event.

ODO-OTIN SOUTH LCDA CHAIRMAN CONDOLES WITH NUJ, OSBC ON ALONGE’S DEATH

The Executive Chairman of Odo-Otin South Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Inisa, Hon. Chief Mrs Bibitayo Ajala has commiserated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) and the family of the deceased, Folakemi Alonge on her sudden death.

This was contained in a statement made available to Nigerian Platform in Osogbo on Thursday.

Hon. Bibitayo who described the late Alonge as a courageous, committed and rare professional, stated that her shocking passage was unbelievable.

She charged NUJ members in Osun State to learn a lesson in the death of Alonge, who made a remarkable mark in her chosen carreer and humanity in general, in her lifetime.

She also described the late Alonge as a God-fearing person whose service to God will remain memorable for all who left behind.

She prayed for the repose of her soul in Paradise and the fortitude for all her loved ones to bear the irreparable loss.

EBURU FELICITATES WITH ALAAFIN OVER 50TH CORONATION ANNIVERSARY

A prominent traditional ruler in Osun State, the Eburu of Iba, Oba (Prof) Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye Oyedeji 11 has felicitated with the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi who clocks 50 years on the throne of his forebears.

The Monarch stated this in a Press Statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Gbolagunte Bamigbola, and which was made available to Nigerian Platform in Osogbo, on Thursday.

Oba Okunoye described the Alafin of Oyo as a symbol of peace and unity in Yoruba land, saying that his steadfastness and love for others have contributed imensely to the growth and development recorded in Yoruba land since his ascension to the throne.

He noted that the 50 years reign of Oba Adeyemi have been significant with remarkable developments in Oyo kingdom and Yoruba nation at large.

Oba Okunoye who is an educationist of international repute described the Alafin as a symbol of tradition, norms and values of the Yoruba race.

He said the love Alafin has for all Yoruba towns and their monarchs contributed to love among royal fathers in Yoruba land, adding that his emergence as the patron of Network of Kings in Osun country side has brought significant development to the organization.

Also, Oba Okunoye said the Alafin of Oyo, being the Chairman, Board of Visitors, Centre for Rural Affairs and Community Development (CERACODE) where he (Eburu) serves as the chairman, Board of Trustees, has helped in the development of many communities through his lofty ideas.

The Eburu of Iba also hailed the acumen and high sense of history of the Alafin of Oyo, saying that his knowledge of history is second to none.

The monarch therefore called on the Alafin to continue to serve the Yoruba nation and Nigera at large through his wisdom and experience, even as he prayed to God to grant the Alafin good health and long life.

He also prayed for peace and tranquility in Oyo kingdom where the Alafin presides as the by traditional head and wish the first class monarch more glorious and eventful years on earth as he continues to serve humanity.

OSUN NUJ DECLARES SEVEN-DAY MOURNING PERIOD IN HONOUR OF FOLAKEMI ALONGE

Nigeria Union of journalists, Osun State Council has declared a seven-day mourning period in honour of an executive member of the union, Mrs Folakemi Alone who died yesterday after a brief illness.

A statement by the chairman of the union, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu and Secretary, Comrade Bukola Elufadejin said the union will put all its activities on hold within the period.

The statement noted that Mrs Folakemi who worked with Osun State Broadcasting Corporation before her death was a committed and dedicated member of the union.

The vacuum she left as ex -Officio would be very difficult to fill by the union especially her contributions to the success recorded by the union in the recent time.

It is the prayer of the union that God Almighty will grant the family, relatives and NUJ the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

MRS FUNKE ADEKOLA FOR BURIAL TOMORROW

The burial of Mrs Maria Funke Adekola (nee Abiola) will hold tomorrow Friday 8th January, 2021.

A release signed by Mr Abiola Victor Abayomi on behalf of the family states that the Requim Mass will take place at St Benedict Catholic Cathedral, Popo, Osogbo by 9:00am.

The release added that there will be a lying in State of the deceased in the Church Premises by 8:20am, while the interment will take place at the Church Cementry after the Funeral Mass.

Mrs Adekola aged 49, who hailed from the Abiola’s Dynasty of the Babalagbede Compound, Ilare passed away in the early hours of Tuesday at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo after a brief illness.

Until her death, she was a teacher with the Osun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

She is survived by children, brothers, sisters, uncles, cousins, and aged mother.

The release urged all attendees to put on their nose mask, as COVID-19 Protocols will be observed.