The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned Senator Ademola Adeleke, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2018 Osun State governorship election, before a Mpape Magistrates’ court in Abuja.
Senator Adeleke, who was recently declared winner of the election by the Osun governorship election tribunal, arrived the court on Tuesday and proceeded straight to the courtroom.
The court, during proceedings, granted bail to the senator currently representing Osun West senatorial district in the sum of N2 million.
The PDP had announced in a statement issued on Monday by Kola Ologbondiyan, its National Publicity Secretary, that the Osun State politician was arrested by police operatives on Monday.
According to the opposition party, the arrest of Senator Adeleke “is part of the grand plot” by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to force him to relinquish the mandate given to him by the tribunal.
But in a statement issued by Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer, the police said the arrest of the PDP politician is in connection with ongoing criminal investigations touching on his person.
The police had said they have fresh evidence against the senator, prompting his detention on Monday.
The lawmaker, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Mohammed Zubairu, the presiding magistrate, then granted Senator Adeleke N2 million bail with one surety in like sum.
Zubairu also ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
He also held that the court has jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Zubairu then adjourned the case till 24 June for further hearing.
According to the new charge, the police accused Senator Adeleke of forging a letter of attestation and result from Mustlim Grammar School, Ede Osun state.
The lawmaker was said to have submitted the “forged” documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before contesting in the governorship election.
The charge is similar to the one the police is prosecuting Senator Adeleke for before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
You Must logged in to add comments. Login