x

Court Dismisses APC’s Certificate Forgery Suit Against Obaseki

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the alleged certificate forgery suit filed against the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed dismissed the suit filed by the All Progressives Party (APC) and a chieftain of the party, Williams Edobor, against the governor, in a judgement delivered on Saturday in the nation’s capital.

The APC and Edobor had filed the suit alleging that Governor Obaseki presented a forged certificate to seek re-election in the Edo State governorship election held on September 19, 2020.

According to the plaintiffs, the said document was purportedly issued by the University of Ibadan, while the governor presented same to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which conducted the poll.

In his judgement, Justice Mohammed held that the plaintiffs relied on the photocopied document presented by Governor Obaseki without getting in touch with the university to verify the authenticity of the said certificate.

He added that no iota of truth was brought before the court by the plaintiffs who alleged forgery, saying it was a criminal matter, but the claimants were unable to prove their case.

The judge noted that the Deputy Registrar (Legal) of the University of Ibadan had given evidence in the suit that the university duly issued the certificate to Governor Obaseki.

According to him, the governor was duly and properly admitted to study Classics which was later renamed Classical Studies in 1976 and graduated in 1979.

Justice Mohammed concluded that the plaintiffs failed to prove their allegations of forgery against Governor Obaseki and, thereby, dismissed the case.

He, however, did not award any cost against the plaintiffs.

Before the judgement was delivered, counsels to both parties in the matter had closed their cases after they presented witnesses and evidence to the court.

During proceedings on Thursday, lawyer to the Plaintiffs, Akin Olujimi, adopted his final written address.

He urged the court to affirm their position that the governor presented a forged certificate to the electoral umpire and was unfit to occupy the office.

This was, however, rejected by Governor Obaseki’s counsel, Ken Mozia, who asked the court to dismiss the suit over what he described as the plaintiff’s failure to prove their case.

Hot this week

FG Reaffirms Commitment to Inmates’ Welfare, Rehabilitation at Kuje Custodial Centre

By Francis WilfredThe Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment...

Awakan Now NTDA DG, Pledges Tourism of Renewed Hope Agenda

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe new Director-General of the...

Council Meeting: Wike Slams Blackmailers, Says, I Remain Focused to Achieve Results

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe FCT Minister, Barr. Nysome Wike,...

BREAKING: Senate Begins Screening of INEC Chairman-Designate, Prof. Joash Amupitan

The Senate has commenced the screening and confirmation process...

Senator Aniekan Bassey Seeks Diplomatic Action Over Detained Nigerian Activist

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations...

Minister Wike and the zone 6 neighbourhood park conversion saga in Abuja (II)

By Tpl. Umar Shuaibu.Deriving its power from the FCT...

NAF Seeks Stronger Partnership with Journalists

The Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known during an interactive session with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council led by the Chairman, Ms. Grace Ike

MRA Condemns INEC’s N1.5bn Fee for Voters Register Under FOI Act

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)...

Kano PCC Vows Free Justice for All, Extends Services to Remote Communities

By Jabiru HassanThe Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaints...

Tinubu Allies Target Tambuwal Over Alleged Political Betrayals

Here’s a clean, newsroom-ready version of your draft. I’ve...

Ex-ACF Scribe Warns FG Against Bowing to Pressure Over Nnamdi Kanu

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaFormer Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative...

INSPIRATION: The Journey of Self-Discovery. . .

By Dr. Mary EwaKnowing Who "You Are" a...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img