By Olufemi Alonge (Alonso)
One keeps wondering on what has actually gone wrong with our system in Nigeria, a country whereby no one is spared by the rod and sword of anarchy brandished at all the structures in various hierachies.
As if there is the very need to fumigate the geographical and geospatial and geopolitical, and all the imaginable “Geos” in the composition of the Country. We are in a system whereby the rule of law is trashed and the popular belief of “the court being the last hope of a common man” is a mere saying.
Teedek Polytechnic, Ilogbo-Ekiti is a private owned polytechnic, established in the year 2010 at Ibadan, Oyo State by Otunba (Dr.) ‘Tola Johnson and affiliated with the approved tertiary institution.
In 2013, the school was relocated to Ilogbo-Ekiti, Ido /Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State. Ilogbo-Ekiti is the country home of the founder.
The institution started in 2013 before a petition was conspiratorially written in August 2016 against the school and the founder by some people.
The petition to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) was that Teedek Polytechnic was a sub- standard of a primary school. The owner was accused in the petition of being the Rector, Bursar, Librarian and Registrar of the school.
As of the time of the petition, Otunba ‘Tola Johnson was a senior official at the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN). The Board ( NBTE) had to take the matter up to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ).
Teedek Polytechnic was shut down in 2016 and the anti-graft agency seized properties, (vehicles) of the founder of the institution. Teedek Polytechnic and Otunba ‘Tola Johnson were dragged before the court by the EFCC.
On Wednesday, 21st November, 2018, the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti dismissed all corruption charges slammed against the institution and Otunba Tola Johnson for lack of diligent prosecution and evidence on the part of the anti graft agency. The judgement was delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court.
EFCC appealed the ruling of Justice Taiwo Taiwo and on 19th November, 2020, the judges of the Court of Appeal agreed unanimously that the EFCC should release the property of the defendant with immediate effect.
There was a wide jubilation in Ilogbo-Ekiti immediately the Kabiesi, his chiefs and some prominent sons and daughters of the town who were in the court relayed the judgement of Hon. Justice Paul Obi Elechi (JCA).
Teedek Polytechnic is now a full fledged registered polytechnic in Nigeria as both NBTE and the Federal Ministry of Education have approved its establishment.
The NBTE officials who visited the institution for inspection were satisfied with the standard of equipment put in place.
What is now the issue?
The essence of writing this article is not to furnish the general public about the ordeal and exoneration of Teedek Polytechnic but to ask the EFCC why the vehicles seized from the founder of Teedek Polytechnic, Ilogbo – Ekiti have not been released in spite of series of court orders?
There are various cases of flagrant disobedient of court orders by many of those who handle the operation of government in Nigeria. The very reason that one could not ascertain. We clamour for development in politics, economy education, technology, agriculture, health, and in many facets, yet, some people are sabotaging organizational and individual efforts and strive towards achieving greatness for our society.
While TEEDEK Polytechnic was brought to Ilogbo Ekiti, It was a total change in the general outlook of the town. There was a total overhaul in the socio economic development of the locality.
Now that the revered Court saw the good reasons to uphold the good work of the institution, what do we say again to the continuous holding on to the seized vehicles of the institution? How long shall the Nigerian investors and genuine developer suffer in the hands of those in charge?
The chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa should as a matter of urgency look into this Teedek Polytechnic’s matter and do the needful by obeying the court order.
Olufemi Alonge writes from Ilogbo-Ekiti.
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