Former Igbajo Poly Rector Arraigned Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other related offences Commission ICPC has dragged former Rector of Igbajo Polytechnic, Igbajo, Osun State, Akinolu Olaolu before an Osun state high court over alleged certificate forgery.

The former Rector was arraigned on Wednesday in court II, Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo on four-count charge bordering on Certificate forgery and False statement.

Olaolu pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him.

Justice Wasiu Akanbi upheld the bail condition granted the accused by ICPC and adjourned the case till March 26, 2020.

As parts of Olaolu’s bail condition, Justice Akanbi added that the accused sureties must be civil servants of Grade Level 14 or above, working within the jurisdiction of the court.

He also noted that they should produce N5m each in like sum and must be in court at the next sitting.

Earlier before the Judge’s verdict, investigation revealed that the accused (Olaolu) had earlier made false statement that he completed his PhD programme in 2002 and was given a notification of result in 2003.

It was learnt that the former Rector having claimed he has a PhD in Economics from the University of Ibadan, appointed as Igbajo Polytechnic Rector.

More findings later revealed that the PhD notification Olaolu claimed to have been issued to him by University of Ibadan was forged.

After the whole truth was revealed to the authorities of Igbajo Polytechnic, Olaolu was dismissed as Rector of the Institution in 2018 and was handed over to ICPC.

The accused received another huge blow on his cheek after the University of Lagos also denied his studentship. The institution’s authorities noted that they do not have any record of his studentship.

“ICPC’s findings revealed that sometime in February 2003, the accused person presented to Igbajo Polytechnic a forged notification of results that showed the conferment of a doctorate on him by the University of Ibadan.

“His action was contrary to Section 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under Section 25 (1) (b) of the same Act.

“It was also contrary to Section 465 of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under Section 467 of the same Act,” the ICPC said.

He, however, had only a notification of results to show as evidence of his doctorate, as those who questioned his academic qualification were allegedly sacked.