Akwa Ibom 2023: Court dismisses certificate falsification allegation against PDP government candidate
The Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Friday dismissed the false certificate case filed against Akwa Ibom's People's Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Umo Eno.
A PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Akan Okon, who lost the party's primary election to Mr Eno, brought the case. He wanted the court to disqualify Mr. Eno on the grounds that he falsified his West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate.
The judge, Agatha Okeke, dismissed the case as lacking in merit and awarded 15 million naira to the plaintiff, Mr Okon.
Ms. Okeke ruled that Mr. Okon's arguments were based on speculation and that he was unable to prove in court that Mr. Eno's certificates were forged.
Mr. Okon said the PDP selection committee mistakenly allowed Mr. Eno to participate in the May 25 gubernatorial primary.
He claimed that Mr. Eno changed his date of birth resulting in three different dates of birth: April 24/25, 1964 and January 1, 1964.
He also alleged that Mr. Eno presented a fake voter card and two fake WAEC certificates from 1981 and 1983.
The plaintiff, like Mr. Eno, is a former cabinet member of Governor Udom Emmanuel's administration, but later resigned to contest the PDP primary.
A total of 13 contenders were cleared by the PDP to take part in the primary, but two major contenders – Bassey Albert, a senator, boycotted it citing a court order, while Onofiok Luke, a member of the House of Representatives also boycotted it citing non-participation of the statutory delegates in the exercise.
Mr. Luke subsequently endorsed Mr. Eno as the party's gubernatorial candidate.
Mr. Okon, however, participated in the primary but got only three votes, while Mr. Eno had 993 votes out of the 1,018 accredited delegates for the exercise.
Governor Emmanuel had chosen Mr. Eno as his preferred successor before the primary.
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The Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Friday dismissed the false certificate case filed against Akwa Ibom's People's Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Umo Eno.
A PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Akan Okon, who lost the party's primary election to Mr Eno, brought the case. He wanted the court to disqualify Mr. Eno on the grounds that he falsified his West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate.
The judge, Agatha Okeke, dismissed the case as lacking in merit and awarded 15 million naira to the plaintiff, Mr Okon.
Ms. Okeke ruled that Mr. Okon's arguments were based on speculation and that he was unable to prove in court that Mr. Eno's certificates were forged.
Mr. Okon said the PDP selection committee mistakenly allowed Mr. Eno to participate in the May 25 gubernatorial primary.
He claimed that Mr. Eno changed his date of birth resulting in three different dates of birth: April 24/25, 1964 and January 1, 1964.
He also alleged that Mr. Eno presented a fake voter card and two fake WAEC certificates from 1981 and 1983.
The plaintiff, like Mr. Eno, is a former cabinet member of Governor Udom Emmanuel's administration, but later resigned to contest the PDP primary.
A total of 13 contenders were cleared by the PDP to take part in the primary, but two major contenders – Bassey Albert, a senator, boycotted it citing a court order, while Onofiok Luke, a member of the House of Representatives also boycotted it citing non-participation of the statutory delegates in the exercise.
Mr. Luke subsequently endorsed Mr. Eno as the party's gubernatorial candidate.
Mr. Okon, however, participated in the primary but got only three votes, while Mr. Eno had 993 votes out of the 1,018 accredited delegates for the exercise.
Governor Emmanuel had chosen Mr. Eno as his preferred successor before the primary.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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