₦airaland Forum

Just as the deputy governor of Lagos State was getting exposed to have denounced his Nigerian citizenship which renders him incapable of holding such executive office as he currently occupies (if the allegation is proven), the governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, was having his own dose of legal troubles as a representative of the DG of NYSC presented evidence at the tribunal to show that Mbah submitted false NYSC certificate to INEC which has forced the tribunal to order Mbah to appear before it on Friday (tomorrow).

Except technicalities, a lot of governors might be sacked by different election tribunals.

The Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on Thursday, ordered Governor Peter Mbah to appear before it on Friday (tomorrow), to testify regarding his alleged forgery of his National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate.

The order followed an application made by the Peoples Redemption Party, through its Counsel, Mr Alex Amujiogo.

Mbah, who was declared winner of the March 18 governorship election in Enugu State by the Independent National Electoral Commission is facing a mounting challenge from the Labour Party candidate, Chijioke Edeoga and PRP candidate, Elder Christopher Agu over his alleged forgery of the NYSC certificate presented to the electoral umpire.

The PRP candidate, Agu like the LP candidate is seeking to upturn the declaration of Mbah as the winner of the 2023 governorship election in the state.

Agu in a petition filed before the Tribunal is claiming among others that Mbah was not qualified to contest the election, having allegedly forged his NYSC discharge certificate.

At the resumed hearing, on Thursday, the PRP’s counsel, Amujiogo told the tribunal that Mbah was supposed to be in court as a subpoenaed witness.

He, however, said from the affidavit deposed to by the bailiff of the Tribunal, it had been difficult to serve Mbah the summons.

Amujiogo then moved an application, urging the Tribunal to grant a substituted service of the summons on Mbah through his counsel.

Although the application was opposed by the three respondents, the INEC, Mbah as well as the Peoples Democratic Party, on the grounds that it was supposed to come by way of motion, supported by an affidavit during the pre-trial session.

However, they were overruled by the Tribunal.

Consequently, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice K. M. Akano ordered that the subpoena be served on Mbah through his counsel and that he should appear before the Tribunal on Friday, June 23, 2023.

Meanwhile, the PRP governorship candidate earlier during the session also testified before the Tribunal as PW2.

An official of the NYSC from the National Secretariat, Abuja, Mr Aliu Muhammed, who also appeared on behalf of the Director-General of the Corps, tendered an affidavit to the Tribunal, declaring that an order of a Federal High Abuja, was inhibiting them from tendering the disclaimer the Corps made against Mbah's certificate.

Muhammed was in court following subpoenas on NYSC.

Addressing journalists, PRP lawyer, Amujiogo said, “Our PW2 (Christopher Agu) has already testified before the Honourable Tribunal and he has given a clearer picture, the synopsis of what transpired during the election and we are urging the Tribunal to set aside the purported result in favour of Peter Mbah, the Governor.

“We had an issue of a subpoena against Barrister Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, in which the Tribunal is urging him to appear before it to clarify certain issues against him, based on his NYSC certificate and other matters.

“Surprisingly, he was not in the Tribunal today and the bailiff informed the Tribunal that he is invading service, he cannot find him, and the security cannot allow him to serve Mbah the subpoena.

“Then, the Tribunal in its own wisdom, after I have applied, has now permitted the bailiff or myself, to now serve Mbah through his counsel, for him to appear before the Tribunal tomorrow, being 23rd of June, 2023 and clarify certain issues against him before the Tribunal and we have already served him the said subpoena through his lawyer, Ik Onuoma today in court.

“So, he must obey the summon of the Tribunal by appearing in person tomorrow, Friday.”

Meanwhile, the case filed by the Labour Party governorship candidate, Mr Chijioke Edeoga also came up before the Tribunal.

The pending interlocutory application which was filed on May 16 over Mbah's alleged NYSC certificate forgery, was moved before the Tribunal.

Edoga is asking the tribunal to disqualify Mba over the alleged forgery, an act that he claims, violates Section 182 (j) of the Nigerian Constitution.

During the resumed sitting of the Tribunal on Thursday, the Petitioners through their Counsel Mr M. J. Numa, moved their interlocutory application, after which the suit was adjourned for ruling on the application on Saturday, May 24, as well as a pre-trial report.

Addressing journalists shortly after the Tribunal's session, one of Edeoga's lawyers, Ifeanyi Ogenyi, said the proceeding was a continuation of the pre-hearing session.

https://saharareporters.com/2023/06/22/enugu-tribunal-orders-governor-mbah-appear-friday-over-alleged-certificate-forgery

Noted.

Mbah can't survive the Tsunami that's about to hit him
Infact Mbah is goner .....

Mbah is gone already.



certificate forgery is a big criminal offence in law

Eh ya. I feel for this man. They should just let him breathe, they should stop suffocating him.

Abeg, Governors immunity reach Tribunal appearance?

I no know...I wan know

...

Governing on borrowed time.

Enugu state government house belongs to LP

Mbah should save himself the time and the stress

adioolayi:
Abeg, Governors immunity reach Tribunal appearance?

I no know...I wan know

Immunity can’t save him cos it’s a pre election matter. It didn’t happen while in office if not immunity would have covered him.

I pity this man oo

This guy is gone already.

adioolayi:
Abeg, Governors immunity reach Tribunal appearance?

I no know...I wan know

No.

Edeoga is coming.
Elueeeee

Nigeria election and litigation ori be Rice and Beans ni

Meaning APC won the state

Mufasa27:
Whatever happens in Biafra doesn't affect an average Nigerian, we care less about the SE, Mods we need important news on FP, I mean pressing Issues

Then go drink gutter water because this post stays. Ode

The sooner he vacates the office for the real winner, the better for everyone.

Forgery is a scam, fraud and should be taken serious as a big offence against the perpetrators of the act

Did he actually won the election in the first instance?
I believe he was bulabard into the office like its the case in aso rock.

Nice

Jokers Tinubu with a NEPA bill certificate is still occupying ask rock Mbah till 2027

Ok

breeze go blow today, fowl nyash must...

Mufasa27:
Whatever happens in Biafra doesn't affect an average Nigerian, we care less about the SE, Mods we need important news on FP, I mean pressing Issues

Pressing issues like story of bandit killing people in your community abi.

Mbah is a placeholder like Tinubu for LP Edeoga

Same case with gov umo eno over fake and forgged WAEC Certificate. If umo eno does not go, then I will come to conclusion that judiciary in Nigeria that was the last hope of the common man has now turned to be the assuerd hope of politicians.

adioolayi:
Abeg, Governors immunity reach Tribunal appearance?

I no know...I wan know

Elections Tribunal is sui generis.... A special Court, immunity doesn't happen there.

Bayelsa Deputy-Governor, Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo was summoned by the Tribunal in Abuja after allegations that he didn't graduate from UST.

He was present, Mbah can only postpone his going there but he MUST.

Ok