The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has announced the immediate suspension of Jimoh Afolabi, the Provost of Ila Oragun College of Education, over allegations of financial impropriety.
The decision follows an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of N200 million at the state-owned college, initiated by the Governor on January 9. A three-man committee was set up to probe the matter.
According to a statement released on Friday by Olawale Rasheed, the Governor’s spokesperson, the suspension of the provost was based on the interim report submitted by the investigative panel.
The committee, after reviewing three previous reports of investigations into various allegations of financial malfeasance, abuse of power, and corruption against Afolabi spanning different administrations, recommended his immediate suspension.
“The committee after a thorough review of the reports including that of the State House of Assembly alongside its own investigation, recommended immediate suspension of the Provost,” the statement reads.
Adeleke approved the recommendation of the committee to suspend Afolabi on grounds of financial impropriety, concealment of official information/records, and failure to update the Governing Council on important issues of the college.
However, the committee found no evidence of abuse of power or financial wrongdoing against Peter Babalola, the Chairman of the College Governing Council. Babalola will remain in office.
“The Committee is billed to submit its final report at a later date,” Rasheed added.
Meanwhile, Jimoh Ayanda has been appointed as the acting Provost of the college following Afolabi’s suspension.
