The Presidency and anti-graft bodies have been petitioned by a human rights organisation, the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), calling for thorough and credible investigation of the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Dr. J. Taiwo Edaogbogun Adekolawole, over an alleged fraud.

CHRSJ alleged that some of the funds were misappropriated by Adekolawole and his cohorts through fictitious services and projects in the polytechnic.

The petition which was written to the Federal Minister of Education and its State counterpart, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other related offences (ICPC), were also forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari for necessary action.

The letter dated Monday, June 22, 2020, which was signed by CHRSJ’s Executive Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman, were made available to newsmen on Thursday.

CHRSJ urged the Federal Ministry of Education to involve the Office of the Head of Service of Federation (OHSF) to set up an independent panel of enquiry to investigate official gross misconducts leveled against Dr. Adekolawole for possible disciplinary action.

It further stated that the anti-graft bodies in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja should ensure that all the public funds illegally move out of the Polytechnic treasury be returned to the institution purse with the evidence of proves.

It demanded that the Rector be suspended henceforth from office till the conclusion of all the allegations of financial crimes and gross official misconducts leveled against him, before summary dismissal. Anti-graft bodies should allow conducting forensic audit into all the Federal Polytechnic Ede Account books from January 1, 2015 till June 30, 2020.

“EFCC and ICPC should investigate the salary account of Mrs. Olukemi Adekolawole from January 1, 2015 till June 30, 2020, in order to know the actual salaries collected by her as a result of illegal promotion and upgrading given to her by her husband, Dr. Adekolawole, the current Rector of the Polytechnic.”

It therefore called for immediate prosecution of the Rector if found guilty of all the allegations of financial crimes leveled against him in the Petition Letter.

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