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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), asking it to probe Professor AbdulAkeem Agboola of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), who was suspended for alleged age falsification.
Agboola was said to have celebrated his 60th birthday at a date his birth certificate with the university indicated he was 58.
It would be recalled that PLATFORM TIMES had earlier reported that the Academic Staff Establishment Unit of FUNAAB had investigated Agboola and indicted him of age falsification and discrepancies in the names on his certificates
The university spokesman, Kola Adepoju claimed the embattled professo was suspended because of the allagation.
But the students body in a letter dated September 13, 2021 and addressed to the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, in Abuja, said it “find it expedient to report the gross corrupt practices of Prof. AbdulAkeem Agboola, of Mathematics department in the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta” to the commission.
They stated that “lately, Prof. AbdulAkeem Agboola, a Professor of Mathematics from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, was indicted in age falsification, result manipulation and other unimaginable diabolism by Staff Establishment Unit of the institution.
“According to documents submitted to the Academic Staff Establishment Unit, Prof. AbdulAkeem Agboola who is, currentiy on suspension has falsified his age while also presenting certificates with different names to the institution.”
According to the petition signed by Ogun NANS Chairman, Damilola Simeon, and the Chairman of the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS), Gbemileke Ogunronbi, the students claimed that plans were underway to pardon Agboola and clear him of all allegations.
“We have it on good record that the powers that be have perfected plans to extricate and absolve Prof. AbdulAkeem Agboola of all charges. They therefore plan to present the measly suspension as enough punishment for his corruption charges without following due process.
“Consequently, plans are now in place to restore him to his former position while all charges are dropped,” it was said.
Calling on the ICPC to ensure the matter is not swept under the carpet, they said: “It is on this note that we demand that the lndependent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission to wade into this matter by engaging in thorough investigation and due process so as to forestall the looming institutional collapse.
“We further demand that within 3 working days, a public or private response to this petition be issued with a message of hope and assurance that this issue will not be swept under the carpet and that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission will do everything within its constitutional powers to ensure that justice is fully served.”
