Certificate forgery: Tribunal asked to sack Benue Deputy Speaker, Danladi

In a heated legal battle, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Mrs. Agnes Uloko, have called on the State Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Makurdi to disqualify the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Mrs. Lami Danladi, over alleged forgery of her secondary school certificate result.

PDP Challenging Election Result

The PDP and its candidate, Mrs. Agnes Uloko, have taken the legal route to challenge the declaration of Mrs. Danladi as the winner of the March 18th, 2023 election in Ado State Constituency. Their counsel, Edward Agena, presented their final written address to the tribunal, urging them to rule in their favor based on compelling evidence.

Forgery Allegations and Supporting Evidence

Edward Agena, the counsel representing the petitioners, highlighted crucial points during the proceedings. He stated that Mrs. Danladi allegedly presented a result titled “SSCE RESULT 2004 WAEC,” purportedly issued by the Ministry of Education, Zamfara State, as evidence in court. However, the authenticity and origin of this document came under scrutiny, and it was marked as Exhibit G.

Agena pointed out that during cross-examination, the Deputy Speaker admitted that examination bodies and schools issue certificates. Her affirmative response seemingly contradicted the information she provided on her INEC Form EC9, raising suspicions about the veracity of her claim to have sat for the SSCE in 2004.

Discrepancies and Requests for Disqualification

The petitioners’ counsel argued that there was no evidence indicating that Mrs. Danladi sat for the SSCE examination at the Ministry of Education in Sokoto State, contrary to her statement in paragraph 10(i) of her reply to the petition. Agena emphasized that only the West African Examination Council (WAEC) or Government Girls Day Secondary School Samaru could issue the certificate, not the Ministry of Education.

He contended that Exhibit G, which the Deputy Speaker relied upon, did not originate from WAEC or Government Girls Day Secondary School Samaru. Moreover, discrepancies were noted in the dates mentioned in the document, raising further doubts about its authenticity.

Call for Judgment and Opposition from the Respondents

The petitioners’ counsel urged the panel of Justices to rule in their favor, dismissing the suit filed by the respondents for lacking merit. However, the counsel representing Mrs. Danladi, the APC, and INEC all called on the tribunal to dismiss the suit, asserting that it lacked substantial evidence.

Awaiting Verdict

The Chairman of the panel, Justice Ory Zik-Ikeorha, adjourned the matter for judgment, and the parties involved are eagerly awaiting the tribunal’s ruling. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the state’s political landscape and will determine the fate of the Deputy Speaker and the integrity of the election results.