A Federal High Court in Abuja on Saturday dismissed the alleged certificate forgery suit brought against Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and one of its members, Edobor Williams.
In his judgement, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, declared that the plaintiffs failed to prove their claim that Obaseki forged the academic certificates that he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the last governorship election in the state.
Responding to the judgment, governor Obaseki said it was 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.
Justice Mohammed described as lazy, the attitude of the plaintiffs, whom he said made no efforts to cross-check from the University of Ibadan (UI) and the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the two institutions that issued the certificates they claimed Obaseki forged.
According to the governor, “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 noted that the verdict confirms once again that Edo people were well-guided in trusting him to lead them in the September 19th 2020 governorship election, promising to continue to prioritise the development of the state not minding the darts thrown by those who are embittered by their loss and continue their attempt to put a spanner in the works even when they have been roundly beaten on all fronts.
“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.”
