By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
The University of Uyo on Friday absolved Governor Umoh Eno of Akwa Ibom of allegations of forgery of his first degree certificate lodged against him at the Governorship Petitions Tribunal sitting in Uyo.
Senator Bassey Albert, Guber candidate of the Young Progressive Party, YPP, had alleged in his petition that Eno did not obtain a genuine certificate and was not a legitimate student of the University.
The Tribunal acting on Bassey Albert’s application, subpoenaed the University of Uyo management over the allegations of certificate forgery he leveled against Pastor Eno.
But speaking as a subpoenaed witness at the Tribunal on Friday, Dr Ime Akpabio, Director of Academic Affairs of the University said the fake result certificate bearing 98UG017806 did not emanate from the University of Uyo.
Akpabio told the Tribunal that the Governor graduated from the University of Uyo, but not with the registration number as alleged in the petition.
“My Lord, this document did not emanate from the University of Uyo. It is designed to mislead and deceive the Court.This registration number belongs to Ugoji Chinenye who was admitted to study Communication Arts.” The Director said.
When further cross examined, Akpabio who told the tribunal he had worked in the University for 24 years, said the piece of evidence submitted by Akpan to the court was forged.
“My Lord, this stamp is a forged stamp. We don’t recognize that stamp to be of the University of Uyo. It is to deceive the public and mislead the Court.” He said.
On the letter of expulsion purportedly issued against Pastor Umo Eno by the institution, he said that, “everything here is wrong. This document did not emanate from the University of Uyo”
The document tendered by Akpan’s counsel was signed by one Daniel Akpan said to be an Administrative Officer 1, but Akpabio told the court that,”we don’t have any Administrative Officer 1 known as Daniel Akpan.”
”The Registrar has authority to certify documents emanating from the University of Uyo and if he is not around, he can mandate the Director (which is me) to sign. Administrative Officer 1 is so low in ranking to certify such a University documents.Umo Bassey Eno passed out of the University of Uyo. His file is in the records of the University of Uyo.” He insisted.
Under further cross examination by Paul Usoro,SAN, Counsel to the Governor , Akpabio said, “we don’t have this document in Umo Eno’s file. Umo Eno graduated in 2004” adding that, “as a former Head of Records before becoming the Director of Academic Affairs,we have only one Eno Umo Bassey in the university records.
“I was in Records. I was the Senior Assistant Registrar, I screened Eno Umo Bassey. I got this from his file. That’s my signature there on the document.
“When it is time to screen students out of the University in their final year, the Records Officer writes to the Vice-Chancellor through the Registrar. I was in Records. I was the Snr. Asst Registrar. I screened him.”Akpabio confirmed.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo was also present in the court to witness the proceedings.
