Former rector arraigned over alleged fake Ph.D certificate

The former Rector of Igbajo Polytechnic, Osun State, Olaolu Olugbenga, has been arraigned at the Osun State High Court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).for allegedly forging a Ph.D. certificate.

Penpushing reports that, the accused was dragged to court for allegedly  forging a Ph.D. certificate which he claimed he obtained from the University of Ibadan, and  had equally used the alleged forged certificate to gain employment into the Polytechnic.

The charge added that the former Rector presented  a false statement to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC),stating that,“ICPC’s findings revealed that sometime in February 2003, the accused person presented to Igbajo Polytechnic a forged notification of result that showed the conferment of a Doctorate degree 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.

“Part of the charge sheet read in court stated that during investigation by ICPC, the accused person knowingly made false statement that his Doctor of Philosophy Degree programme was completed in 2002 and he was given notification in 2003, thereby committing an offence that is 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,” the statement reads.

Penpushing further reports that,  Olugbenga pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was granted bail by the court, ordering him to present sureties who must be civil servants of Grade Level 14 or above, working within the jurisdiction of the court.

The judge, Justice Wasiu Akanbi  also ordered that  the sureties should produce N5 million each in like sum and must be present during the next court sitting, which was  adjourned to March 26.