• Appoints acting provost

Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has approved the suspension of the Provost of Ila College of Education in line with the interim report of the Investigation Panel headed by the Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Akinleye.

The Governor also approved the recommendation of the committee that the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Peter Babalola should remain in office as there is no proven case of abuse of power or financial wrongdoings against him.

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”.

In another statement, the Governor approved the immediate appointment of Dr Jimoh Lasisi as acting provost of the college.