Examination malpractices charges against former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke and Others have been withdrawn on Thursday by the prosecution involved in the trial.

Adeleke was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja in October 2018 along with Sikiru Adeleke (who is said to be the senator’s relative), Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (the school principal), Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (registrar) and Dare Samuel Olutope (teacher).

Ademola and Sikiru were accused of fraudulently, through impersonation, registering as students of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Ojo-Aro, Osun State to enable them sit for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination of June/July 2017.

The other three defendants were accused of aiding the commission of the alleged offence.

Adeleke has failed to attend court since last year when he was granted permission, by the trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, to travel to the United States on medical grounds.

Lawyers to the defendants, led by Alex Izinyon (SAN), who did not object to the prosecution’s decision to amend its charge, however disagreed with the prosecution on the appropriate order to be made; whether Adeleke should be simply discharged, based on the withdrawal of the charge against him, or whether he should be discharged and acquitted.

Justice Ekwo has fixed ruing on the issue for Friday (May 29).

The other defendants who pleaded not guilty when they were re-arraigned on the amended seven-count charge, will continue to enjoy the bail granted them earlier as Justice Ekwo agreed with their lawyers.