The Federal High Court Abuja has dismissed the alleged certificate forgery suit filed by the APC against Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed while delivering judgment in the alleged certificate forgery suit filed by the APC against the governor said that the APC failed to prove the forgery allegation beyond reasonable doubt.
The judgment was set for 12noon, but the judge began reading the verdict at about 1.20pm, by first reviewing the testimonies for the two parties.
The All Progressives Congress and a member had dragged Obaseki to court, accusing him of tendering a fake UI certificate to be eligible for the September governorship election.
Lawyers to all the parties adopted their final addresses on 7 January, making Justice Ahmed Mohammed slate verdict for today.
The parties are the APC, Mr William Edobor, Obaseki, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
When the matter was called on Thursday, Obaseki’s counsel, Mr Ken Mozia (SAN) told the court that the business for the day was for parties to adopt their final written addresses.
Mozia said that he had received the plaintiffs’ 39-page final written address.
He said that on his part, he had filed his final address as well as a reply on points of law to the plaintiffs’ final written address.
“We adopt both written addresses, and premised on the arguments set out therein, we urge the court to make a firm determination that the plaintiffs woefully failed to prove their case,” he said.
Mozia urged the court to dismiss the case.
Similarly, Mr Razaq Isenelumhe, counsel to the PDP, adopted his written address as his final argument and urged the court to dismiss the case.
For his part, Mr M.A Bawa, counsel to INEC prayed the court to use the arguments filed by counsel to give judgment in the matter.
“For our part, we didn’t file any process in this suit and we have consistently remained neutral.
“In the circumstance, we will be urging the court to decide the matter one way or another based on the arguments before it,” he said.
Counsel to the APC, Mr Akin Olujimi (SAN) also adopted his written address as his final argument in the matter and urged the court to grant the claims sought by his client.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, adjourned the matter until today to deliver judgment.
The APC and one of its chieftains, Mr Williams Edobor, dragged Obaseki to court for allegedly forging the University of Ibadan degree certificate, which he submitted to INEC to aid his qualification for the Sept. 19, 2020 governorship election in Edo.
The plaintiffs want the court to disqualify Obaseki and his party, the PDP, from the poll, in the event that Obaseki was found to have forged his university certificate, obtained in 1979
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has hailed the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which dismissed the certificate forgery suit instituted brought against him by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obaseki, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the judgement is a triumph of the rule of law and a testament to the fact that truth would prevail ultimately no matter how vehemently detractors push lies in the face of incontrovertible evidence.
“The verdict of the Federal High Court, delivered by Honourable Justice Ahmed Mohammed is well-received and a victory for the rule of law. It was a most 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.
“My profound gratitude goes to the judiciary who have stood indefatigably for truth and justice; the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR); my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); our party leaders and members; my teeming supporters; the good people of Edo State and all Nigerians.”
The governor said the verdict has confirmed once again that Edo people were well-guided in trusting him to lead them in the September 19th governorship election.
He pledged his administration’s commitment to prioritising the “development of the statenot minding the darts thrown by those who are embittered by their loss and continue their attempt to put spanner in the works even when they have been roundly beaten on all fronts.”
In the same vein, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has reacted to the Federal High Court judgement that dismissed the All Progressives Congress (APC) certificate forgery suit against Governor Godwin Obaseki.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the PDP chieftain, Chris Osa Nehikhare, the party said the court ruling is a “testimony to the fact that this government was enthroned by the wish of Edo people and had the blessings of God.”
While congratulating Governor Obaseki on his victory at the court, the PDP asked the APC to join the Edo State Government to “build a society where hard work is rewarded, where hate should be condemned and love for a prosperous state the driving spirit of our being.”
“It is now clear that Edo APC and the news and stories they propagate are built on falsehood, social greed, intellectual imbecility and pathological irresponsibility. Edo people are advised not to only punish them with their votes on election days, but to consider them public enemy number one henceforth!
“However, if Each and every one of them own up to their role, tender well-intentioned apologies and commit to being of good character, show respect to Edo people, toe the path of honour and have the decency of admitting to the fact that they spread lies and concocted fake stories to sell their mandate and attempted to dupe the courts, Edo people may show some mercy. After all, Governor Obaseki is a reasonable man. Edo people are reasonable people.
“It is the most honourable thing to do; it is the noblest step to take. Governor Obaseki, we once again congratulate you and the good and patient people of Edo State as your RESETTING EDO agenda moves to the next level,” the PDP added.
Obaseki defeated the APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the September 19 governorship election.
He secured 307,955 of the total votes, 84,336 more votes than Ize-Iyamu who got 223, 619 votes.
