Judge’s ill Health Stalls Certificate Forgery Case Against Obaseki, With 13 Days Remaining

Obaseki

ABUJA - With just thirteen days remaining in it’s constitutional lifespan of 180 days, the pre-election suit questioning the academic certificate of Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki suffered an adjournment on Thursday following the sudden illness of Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.

The alleged Certificate forgery suit which was filed against Governor Obaseki by the All Progressive Congress (APC) and it’s chieftain, Williams Edobor on July 13, 2020 has a constitutional lifespan of 180 days which will become spent on January 13, 2021.

Thereafter, it will become an academic exercise as nothing legally could be done to resurrecte it from it’s constitutional grave.

The suit itself was caught up by intrigues and legal theatrics that were adopted by the combatants with each trying to outwit the other.

Although the matter was adjourned for Thursday for the cross examination of the plaintiff’s witness, Raphael Onwuzululigbo, a retired police officer, who claimed to be a forensic expert, proceedings could not continue due the Justice Mohammed’s illness.

The matter which was originally fixed for 12pm did not commence till about 2 Pm when the judge walked in.

But apologizing for the delay, Justice Mohammed explained that he had “severe malaria attack” and would not be able to proceed with a full trial of the case.

Responding on behalf of lawyers to the case, lead counsel to the plaintiff’s and a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), empathized with the judge stressing that his health is most paramount and important to all.

He therefore consented to the suggestion by the defence counsel including Ken Mozia (SAN) representing Obaseki; Razaq Isenalohme for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Sulieman Danbaba for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that proceedings be further adjourned to Monday, January 4, 2021.

Following this agreement by counsel to the respective parties, Justice Mohammed adjourned the till Monday, January 4.

The APC and one of its chieftains, Mr Williams Edobor had dragged Obaseki, his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court seeking the disqualification of Obaseki in the September 19 governorship election over alleged certificate forgery and perjury.

They specifically accused Obaseki of forging his Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies Degree he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the last governorship election in Edo State.

Meanwhile, after yesterday’s proceedings, counsel to Governor Obaseki, Mazio, brandished an original copy of his client’s degree certificate to Journalist saying he was going to tender same in court to bring an end to the controversy once and for all.

The plaintiffs had at the previous proceedings tendered two additional documents to prove their allegation of certificate forgery against Obaseki.

During the proceedings of Wednesday, the plaintiff’s tendered additional documents before the court, to prove its case against him.