The Federal Government, on Tuesday, re-arraigned Sen. Ademola Adeleke on seven counts amended charges on examination malpractice.

Adeleke was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 22 September 2018 Osun governorship election.

Adeleke, who is a serving senator, and four other defendants were first arraigned on a four-count charge before Justice Edward Ekwo in September.

Adeleke and the other defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the seven-count following which the prosecuting counsel, Mr Simon Lough asked the court for a date to commence trial.

Adeleke’s counsel, Mr Alex Izinyon (SAN), however, prayed the court for time to respond to all the processes served on his client.

Iziyon also moved an application urging the court to release Adeleke’s International passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

The prosecution did not oppose the application and the judge granted the application and ordered that Adeleke’s passport be released to him to enable him travel.

The judge ruled that Adeleke should return the International Passport within three days of his return to the country.

Adeleke was arraigned in September on a four-count of examination malpractices along with his brother, Sikiru Adeleke, and three others.

The senator pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on self-recognizance by the court.

As part of his bail conditions, Adeleke was to sign an undertaken to always attend the trial and was not to travel out of the country without the permission of the court.

The others are Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (Principal, Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Ojo-Aro Osun), Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (School Registrar) and Dare Samuel Olutope (a teacher).

The second and third defendants were admitted to bail in the sum of N2 million each and one surety each, in like sum.

They were also asked to submit their international passports to the court and were not to travel out of the country without obtaining permission from the court.

Justice Ekwo ordered that Gbadamosi Ojo (school Registrar) and Dare Olutope (a teacher) be remanded in prison custody since they did not apply for bail.

(NAN)