Adeleke Suspends The Provost Of Osun College For Misuse Of Office

The Provost of Ila College of Education has been suspended, as per the interim report of the Investigative Panel led by Hon. Kazeem Akinleye, the Chief of Staff of Osun State, with the approval of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The Governor also accepted the committee’s recommendation that Dr. Peter Babalola, the Chairman of the Governing Council, continue in his position since there isn’t any evidence of him abusing his position or engaging in financial misconduct.

The Provost and the Council chair had been involved in accusations and counter-accusations over the misappropriation of N200 million college fund, leading the Governor to set up a panel of inquiry over the matter.

The Governor also reversed the alleged suspension of the Provost by the council chair pending the outcome of the investigation before the panel barred parties from speaking with the media.

However, a statement issued by Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Friday exonerates the council chair of a financial scandal of N200 million.

It reads in part, “The cash advance of Three Million Naira to the Council chairman was found to be within the college’s financial regulations with all documentation verified by the committee.

“Based on a thorough review, the committee discovered that the allegation of N200m fraud levelled against the Chairman of the Governing Council is untrue, diversionary, baseless and fallacious.

“Documentary evidence (voucher) revealed that he only collected a sum of Three Million Naira (N3m) as cash advance which is officially allowed.

“On the Provost, the Committee reviewed three previous reports of investigations into various allegations of financial malfeasance, abuse of power and corruption levelled against him dating from past administrations to date.

“The Committee after a thorough review of the reports including that of the State House of Assembly alongside its own investigations recommended immediate suspension of the Provost, which is now endorsed by the State Governor.

“Sequel to the findings of the investigative Panel, the Provost of Osun State College of Education,Ila- Orangun, Dr.Jimoh Atanda Afolabi is hereby suspended on the grounds of financial impropriety, concealment of official information/ records; and failure to update the Governing Council on the important issues of the College”.

The Governor also gave her approval for Dr. Jimoh Lasisi to be appointed as the college’s acting provost effective immediately.

Credit: Vanguard