By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka (Senior Correspondent)
Three employees of the Lagos State University, Mubin Raji (43), Alli Ajose (58) and Bankole Odofin (62), have been docked before an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court at Oyingbo,a Lagos suburb, over alleged falsification of certificates, abuse of office and extortion.
The three defendants are standing trial on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence, abuse of office, false certificates, extortion by public officers, corrupt practices, acceptance of gift from agents, forgery and stealing leveled against them by the police.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Chinalu Uwadione, the defendants committed the alleged offences between January 2011 and September 2017, at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo Lagos.
He told the court that the trio and others still at large conspired among themselves and intentionally performed an act in violation of the rules and regulations of LASU, in the discharge of their duties, for the purpose of obtaining undue advantage to themselves.
Uwadione said that Rajo and Ajose presented false West African Examination Certificates (WAEC), to the Lagos State University Authority to gain employment, an act which they knew to be false.
He also alleged that Ajose obtained the sum of N20,000, from one Kingsley Azubike, under false pretence that he would help him remove his fake ‘O’ Level WAEC Certificate which he used to gain employment into Lagos State University, a representation he knew to be false.
The prosecutor said, “Mubin Rajo forged West African Examination Certificate (WAEC) ‘O’ Level result and submitted same which gave him employment into the Lagos State University in the year 2011, with intent that it may be used or acted as genuine to the prejudice”.
“Bankole Odofin received monies from students of the Lagos State University to alter their results and also upgrade marks for them ” he said.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are punishable under Sections 411, 73 (1) ( 2) ,74 (1) 314 (1) (a), 287, 365 (1), 63 (1) (a) & (b), 68 (1) and 65 (1) (a) &(b), of the criminal laws of Lagos State, 2015.
After listening to the charges brought against them, the trio pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Chief Magistrate Mrs O. I Adelaja, granted them bail in the sum of N500,000, each with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case to January 22, 2018, for mention.