The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Mr. Olaolu Akinola Olugbenga, the former Rector of Igbajo Polytechnic, Igbajo, Osun State before Honorable Justice Wasiu Oladejo Akanbi of Osun State High Court 2, sitting in Osogbo. He faces a 4-count charge relating to alleged forgery and making false statements.
Olugbenga is accused of obtaining a fake Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Certificate from the University of Ibadan, which he used to secure employment at Igbajo Polytechnic. ICPC’s investigation revealed that he presented a forged notification of result to the institution, showing the conferment of a Doctorate degree by the University of Ibadan in February 2003.
The accused is alleged to have knowingly made false statements regarding the completion of his Doctor of Philosophy Degree program and the issuance of the notification in 2003, which violates the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. He is also accused of presenting a forged notification of result document to the management of Igbajo Polytechnic with the intention to pass it off as genuine, constituting an offense of forgery under the Criminal Code Act.
During the arraignment, Olugbenga pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyer applied for bail, which was granted by Justice Akanbi, under the conditions of the administrative bail earlier granted by ICPC. The additional condition set by the judge required his sureties to be civil servants of Grade Level 14 or above, working within the jurisdiction of the court, and to produce N5 million each in like sum. They are also mandated to be present in court for the next adjourned date of 26th March, 2020.