…Panic in Lagos suburb as vandals cause explosion***

The Federal Government on Tuesday, re-arraigned Sen. Ademola Adeleke on seven counts amended charges on examination malpractice.

Adeleke was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Sept. 22, 2018 Osun governorship election.

Adeleke, who is a serving senator and four other defendants were first arraigned on a four-count charge before Justice Edward Ekwo in September.

Adeleke and the other defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the seven count charges following which the prosecuting counsel, Mr Simon Lough asked the court for a date to commence trial.

Adeleke’s counsel, Mr Alex Izinyon (SAN), however, prayed the court for time to respond to all the processes served on his client.

Iziyon also moved an application urging the court to release Adeleke’s International passport to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.

The prosecution did not oppose the application and the judge granted the application and ordered that Adeleke’s passport be released to him to enable him travel.

The judge ruled that Adeleke should return the International Passport within three days of his return to the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) report that Adeleke was arraigned in September on a four-count charge on examination malpractices, along with his brother, Sikiru Adeleke and three others.

The senator pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on self-recognizance by the court.

As part of his bail conditions, Adeleke was to sign an undertaken to always attend trial and was not to travel out of the country without the permission of the court.

The others are Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (Principal, Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Ojo-Aro Osun), Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (School Registrar) and Dare Samuel Olutope (a teacher).

The second and third defendants were admitted to bail in the sum of N2 million each and one surety each, in like sum.

They were also asked to submit their international passports to the court and were not to travel out of the country without obtaining permission from the court.

Justice Ekwo ordered that Gbadamosi Ojo (school Registrar) and Dare Olutope (a teacher) be remanded in prison custody since they did not apply for bail.

In the meantime, reports reaching us Wednesday morning indicate that there is a raging fire at Abule Egba in Lagos caused by activities of pipeline vandals.

Residential and commercial houses are reportedly affected. People are scampering to safety.

It was alleged that vandals had caused an explosion from the pipelines, which extended to Abule Egba Bus Stop.

Fire was said to have started 3:30am.

The Citizen with additional report from The Nation