The defense by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno in the ongoing certificate forgery case has seriously punctured the allegation by the failed governorship aspirant in the state, Mr Akan Okon.

Akan Okon in a petition dated 7th June 2022 is challenging the credentials of Pastor Umo Eno at the Federal High Court, Uyo in suit no FCH/UY/CS/110/2022 alleging forgery of WAEC certificate submitted among the credentials by the PDP candidate.

But Akan Okon during cross examination by the defense counsel, Paul Usoro SAN, admitted that his petition was merely based on hearsay when he told the court that he has no knowledge of forensic science but met a forensic expert for the first time on 25th August 2022 while his statement of claims and witness statement on oath dated 7th June 2022.

Okon further explained that throughout the process, he contacted neither WAEC nor Victory High School where Umo attended, to verify his allegations before coming to court.

He however told the court that he contacted WAEC indirectly through one Alakija of Association for Advancement of Democracy in Nigeria AADN which he himself is not a member.

On the issue of Umo Eno not having a voter's card, Okon told the court that although he never worked with INEC, he had access to the commission's database where he checked Eno's registration.

This position was swiftly countered by counsel to INEC, Emmanuel Eze who asked Akan Okon if he's aware that only the INEC ICT manager can access INEC database with a permission from the commission?

As Okon insisted that he accessed the commission's database, Eze put it to him that he attempted hacking on the INEC database which is a criminal offense punishable by law.

Base on available evidence and the demand of proof by anyone who alleges, it is very clear that Akan Okon's petition was merely speculative and hearsay without any fact to establish a forgery case. His forensic expert claimed he used a photocopied certificate of Umo Eno in his forensic analysis which can't produce accurate result.

Akan Okon's evidence before the court has made him culpable in the alleged forgery of WAEC letterhead by his Alakija led AADN NGO.

So far, Akan Okon is unable to prove his allegation of forgery, non attendance of Victory High School, non registration as a voter, and multiple birthdate of Umo Eno.

In his defense, Pastor Umo Eno subpoenaed the Office of the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, West African Examination Council WAEC to tender documents under the subpoena ducie tecum while the Nigerian Police Force, Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence came under subpoena atestificado.

The office of attorney general was in court to present the letter from WAEC calling for a full scale investigation to the impersonation and forgery of their letterhead by Akan Okon's AADN. The exam body stated that such letter never emanated from their office as nobody contacted them on the matter.

Also, WAEC was represented by the senior assistant registrar, Uyo zonal office who presented Pastor Umo Eno's confirmation of results and WAEC certificates of 1981 and 1983. The examination body also presented to the court an investigation report with Ref no Ik/ZC/EX/WRV/7B/VoL.1/15 dated 8th August 2022, and IK/ZC/EX/WRV/7B/VOL.1/26 dated 5th September 2022; Re: investigation activities CSP Chris Endeleyn.

All documents were tendered, admitted by court, and marked as exhibits.

The CSP Chris Endeleyn also tendered his investigative report on behalf of the Nigerian Police Force, department of criminal investigation and intelligence, before the court.

It was at the point of cross examination of the police representative that counsel to the plaintiff informed the court that he should be allowed to travel to Abia state for his family burial that weekend, and pleaded the court to stand down further hearing till today Tuesday 20th September 2022.

Accordingly the court adjourned to today 20th September 2022 for cross examination.

By Joseph Okon

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