Edo Election:Court dismisses APC’s certificate forgery case against Obaseki

By Our Political Desk

An Abuja Federal High Court on Saturday dismissed the certificate forgery suit filed against the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

The suit, filed by the All Progressive Congress (APC) and a chieftain of the party, Williams Edobor, was dismissed by Justice Ahmed Mohammed.

The judge held that the plaintiffs relied on the photocopied document presented by Obaseki without getting in touch with the university to verify the authenticity of the certificate and the claimants were unable to prove their case.

The judge added that the Deputy Registrar (Legal) of the University of Ibadan had given evidence in the suit that the university duly issued the certificate to 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 thereby dismissed the case.

The APC and Edobor had filed the suit alleging that Obaseki presented a forged certificate to seek re-election in the Edo State governorship election held on September 19, 2020. They alleged that the forged document was issued by the University of Ibadan, while the governor presented same to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which conducted the poll.

Meanwhile Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has commended the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the certificate forgery case levelled against him by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Obaseki gave the commendation in a statement issued to journalists on Saturday in Benin.

According to him, the judgement is a triumph of the rule of law and a testament to the fact that truth will prevail ultimately, no matter how vehemently detractors push lies in the face of incontrovertible evidence.

He said that the verdict, delivered by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, was well-received as a victory for the rule of law.

“It is the needless attempt by desperate individuals, trying to undo the will of the people through the backdoor, but we are happy today that justice and truth have prevailed,’’ he said.

The governor added that the verdict confirmed, once again, that the Edo people were well-guided in trusting him to lead them in the September 2020 governorship election.

He promised to continue to prioritise the development of the state, irrespective of all odds.

“My profound gratitude goes to the judiciary who have stood indefatigably for truth and justice and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.’’

Obaseki also thanked the People’s Democratic Party, the party leaders and members as well as his teeming supporters and people of Edo State for standing with him.