The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki was qualified to contest in the September 2020 governorship election.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed made the ruling on Saturday in Abuja.
Justice Mohammed dismissed the suit filed by the All Progressives Party (APC) and a chieftain of the party, Williams Edobor, against the governor.
The APC and Edobor had filed the suit alleging that Governor Obaseki presented a forged certificate to seek re-election in the Edo State governorship election held on September 19, 2020.
He ruled that the plaintiffs failed to by way of credible evidence, discharge the burden of proof placed on them by the law.
Also Read: Edo Gov Poll: Court Disqualifies Ize-Iyamu’s Running Mate
Justice Mohammed stated that there was no iota of evidence before the court to establish that Obaseki forged either his O’level certificate or the degree certificate that was awarded to him in 1979 by the University of Ibadan.
He held that allegation of forgery the Plaintiffs levelled against Obaseki bordered on crime and therefore required to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
The judge noted that the Deputy Registrar (Legal) of the University of Ibadan had given evidence in the suit that the university duly issued the certificate to Governor Obaseki.
According to him, the governor was duly and properly admitted to study Classics which was later renamed Classical Studies in 1976 and graduated in 1979.
He, thereby, dismissed the case, although he didn’t award any cost on the plaintiffs.
via: Information Nigeria
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