By Mudiaga Affe
Alleged certificate forgery was the major reason why Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, was disqualified by the All Progressives Congress (APC) from seeking re-election on the party’s platform during September 19, 2020 governorship poll in the state.

Following the disqualification, the governor defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on which platform he eventually contested and won the governorship election in the state. He has since commenced his second tenure as governor.

From the moment the APC put up that claim, it looked like other political parties and interest groups rose in unanimity to suffocate the governor with a litany of court cases. And curiously, the more they assailed the economist turned politician, the harder and more triumphant he became.

Little wonder, from the Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal to the high courts in Benin and the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, the numerous cases instituted against Obaseki with regard  to the alleged certificate forgery scandal became a non-issue before the courts.

One after the other, all the cases were thrown out of the courts and tribunal for lack of evidence.

The final straw, literally speaking, came last Friday as the nation’s apex court, the Supreme Court, ruled in favour of the governor, thereby throwing the certificate forgery scandal to the dustbin of history.

Hitherto, the road to Friday’s victory at the Supreme Court was a long battle that has polarised the political landscape in Edo and beyond.

For instance, it was the alleged certificate scandal that led to drawing of the battle line between Obaseki and the former the APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole.

Recall that Obaseki, in his first tenure, rode on the auspices of Oshiomhole to find his way to the Government House in Benin. However, a crack late developed between both gladiators who once operated as godfather and godson.

The crack, stakeholders say, later resulted in the eventual removal of Oshiomhole as the APC National Chairman even as it helped to swell the number of PDP controlled states in the South-South.
Hitherto, the APC has held the reins of power in Edo for 12 years with Oshiomhole piloting it for eight years and Obaseki completing the last four years political race.

Be that as it may, last Friday’s verdict by the apex court has, once more, affirmed the victory of Obaseki at the September 19 polls.

The five-man panel of justices in a unanimous decision held that the appellants failed to prove their case against Obaseki and awarded N1m cost in favour of the governor.

In its ruling, the court said it found no reason to set aside the concurrent judgements of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which earlier dismissed the allegation that Obaseki tendered false credentials to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to aid his qualification for the governorship poll.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Emmanuel Agbim, said the appellants woefully failed to substantiate their forgery allegation against Obaseki, adding that they neither went to the university nor the West African Examination Council (WAEC) for checks but relied on INEC’s Form.

Dismissing the allegation, the learned justice said the appellants did not provide any ‘scintilla of evidence to prove their case.

However, appraising the development, Obaseki said the judgement had put to rest the diabolical controversy contrived by opposition elements over his credentials.

According to him, the apex court pronouncement has finally put to shame the individuals that sought to swindle Edo people with falsehood and lie in pursuit of pecuniary gains.

Obaseki noted, “The judiciary has once again demonstrated that it is willing and capable of defending our democracy. I see this victory as a renewed call by the Almighty to rededicate myself to His service and that of the people of Edo State.

“From the statement by the Supreme Court justices, it is clear that they align with what Edo people knew all along, which is that there was no merit in the case. The controversy was diabolical and ill-willed. It is reassuring that the judiciary has upheld the wishes of the masses once again.”

Dedicating the victory to the Edo people,Obaseki noted that their resolve to stand by him despite the campaign of calumny was inspiring.

He expressed appreciation to the PDP for supporting him and holding steadfast in his belief and vision for a better Edo.

The governor also hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring that the judiciary remained impartial.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on January 9, had dismissed the alleged certificate forgery suit against Obaseki.

The judge, Ahmed Mohammed, had described the APC’s allegation as strange, saying it was like “an outsider telling a man in his house that he is not the father of a child”.

Certificate forgery case: Obaseki hails Appeal Court ruling, praises Judiciary

Not satisfied with the decision of the lower court, the APC approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the judgement.

Similarly, the appellate court had in a judgement, on March 18, held that the case the APC brought to vacate the January 9 verdict of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which authenticated Obaseki’s University of Ibadan degree certificate, lacked merit.

The appellate court panel which was led by Justice Stephen Adah, upheld the testimony of the Deputy Registrar, Legal, University of Ibadan, Abayomi Ajayi, who had earlier confirmed before the trial court, that Obaseki attended the university and fulfilled all the requirements for admission to the Department of Classical Studies.

Delivering judgement in the appeal, the judge held that the lower court was right in its findings and conclusions.

The judgement has also put paid to the issue of the certificate forgery scandal that had topped discussion in the state for over 10 months.

Pundits are of the view that with the judgement, it is likely that the governor, who has operated only with his deputy, Philip Shaibu, and the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, would immediately set up his cabinet and concentrate on the governance of the state.