A prominent civil society organisation, the Coalition for a Corrupt-Free Society and Organised Accountability in Civil Service (CCSOAC), has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over what it describes as a “deliberate act of fraud, forgery, and official deception” by a staff member of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, Ondo State.
At the heart of the petition is Mr. Olalekan Oladipo, who is accused of forging a certificate from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in order to fraudulently secure promotion into the Procurement Cadre of the University.
The explosive petition, signed by CCSOAC Chairman, Dr. Ayodeji Ologun, detailed how Mr. Oladipo submitted a falsified BPP document titled “Release of Shortlisted Candidates (2016)”, allegedly placing him at No. 348 on the list. This document was used as proof of certification required for advancement to the procurement unit of the institution.
However, the Bureau of Public Procurement has since disclaimed the document as fake, stating clearly in a letter dated addressed to the University’s Vice Chancellor that Mr. Oladipo was never shortlisted, examined, or certified by the Bureau.
“This is not just a case of administrative misconduct; it is a calculated, criminal deception aimed at unlawfully accessing public funds, promotions, and privileges meant for duly qualified professionals." The petition read.
The civil society group alleged that despite being issued formal queries by the University’s Registrar, Mr. Oladipo repeatedly refused to respond, allegedly relying on powerful connections within and outside the university system to shield him from accountability.
The petition calls on the ICPC to immediately launch a full-scale investigation into Mr. Oladipo’s activities and take appropriate legal action, asking that Mr. Oladipo be investigated and prosecuted for forgery, fraud, and false pretence;
“This case is not just about one man. It is about the larger rot that threatens our institutions when meritocracy is sacrificed on the altar of fraud. The presence of unqualified individuals in sensitive public roles undermines national development and erodes public confidence in the system." Dr. Ologun noted.
Copies of the petition have also been sent to the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Ondo State Attorney General, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education (Tertiary Institutions), and the Vice Chancellor of UNIMED.
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