Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has waded in as the Council Chairman of the Osun state college of education, Ila-Orangun, Peter Babalola an the the Provost of the College, Professor Jimoh Afolabi battle each other over alleged financial infraction.
The ChairmanBabalola accused Afolabi of conniving with the retired Bursar of the Institution, Dr Rasheed Oyedeji to commit the financial infraction.
Babalola said Oyedeji, whose tenure lapsed on September 30 2023, issued N320,000,000.00 to unknown contractor on the the instruction of the Provost without the knowledge of the governing council, who were already appointed during the period.
Peter Babalola stated that the provost attempt to cheat the government to releasing N200,000,000.
He said “the institution Governing Council recommended the suspension of the Provost of the college pending the conclusion of the investigation over the allegations levied against him.”
However, Afolabi has denied the allegations against him.
Reacting to accusations and counter – accusations between the Chairman of the Governing Council and the College Provost, Governor Adeleke directed the committee to look into the subject of controversies and ensure amicable resolution of the crisis.
“I have read various statements and allegations emanating from Ila Orangun College of Education. I have also been briefed about the conflict between the school management and the college Governing Council. The Committee is hereby directed to call a meeting of both parties.
“The Committee is to review all issues including questions of financial malpractices within the College system and propose a comprehensive accountability and transparency system.
“Let me warn that anybody implicated in any wrongdoing, financial mismanagement or corrupt conduct will face heavy sanction. I announce that I will not shield anybody no matter how highly placed”, the State Governor noted in a statement by Olawale Rasheed, his Spokesperson.
The committee is expected to report their findings and recommendations to the Governor within two weeks.
Prof Afolabi was appointed acting as provost of the Osun State College of Education, lla-Orangun on April 2021 by the administration of the immediate past Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
He became the substantive Provost months later.
