Senator George Akume
UI, WAEC, NYSC clear Akume of certificate forgery

The University of Ibadan (UI), the West African Examination
Council (WAEC) and the National Youth Service Corps
(NYSC) have denied claim that former Benue State Governor,
George Akume forged his education certificates.
An Abuja-based businessman, Philip Agbese had sued Akume
before the Federal High Court, Abuja, accusing him of forging
his educational certificates.
The denial by UI, WAEC and NYSC is contained in their
responses to the suit.
UI, WAEC and NYSC, in separate applications, confirmed
that Akume sat and passed requisite examinations and was
awarded certificates and issued with a discharge certificate.
UI, in an application, confirmed that Akume attended the
institution and was awarded a B.Sc Degree Certificate in
Sociology in 1978. WAEC also confirmed that Akume sat and
passed its examination in 1971 having attended Government
Secondary School, Otukpo Benue State between 1967 and
1971.
The NYSC admitted that Akume participated in the
mandatory one year national service and was issued with a
discharge certificate after his service at the Advanced
Teachers College, Akwanga in the then Plateau State (now in
Nasarawa State).
Also sued with Akume are the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) and the Inspector General of Police.
The presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, on
Wednesday warned against undue delay in the hearing of the
case.
Justice Mohammed issued the warning after plaintiff’s lawyer,
Amobi Nzelu, stalled proceedings by applying for
adjournment to enable him respond to the preliminary
objections raised by WAEC and NYSC.
Justice Mohammed observed that “the application for
adjournment is very unfortunate.
“I would want a situation where this matter is prosecuted
diligently.
“Nobody wants to be taken to court. And if you take
somebody to court over an allegation, you are expected to
speedily prosecute the case so that he or she will know his
fate.
“The 2nd to 3rd respondents (WAEC and NYSC) served you
(Nzelu) before vacation, but you did not reply on time. You
are expected to be diligent as plaintiff’s counsel,” Justice
Mohammed said.
Akume’s lawyer, Sebastine Hon (SAN) also complained about
the altitude of the plaintiff’s lawyer, which he said showed an
attempt to delay hearing in the case.
“The history of this case has left so much to be deserved. You
rushed somebody to court, who is a former governor and a
Senator of the Federal Republic, over allegations of certificate
forgery and you are now not in a hurry to proceed with the
case.
“My lord, I want a quick resolution of this matter on its merit.
That is why we did not file any preliminary objection,” Hon
said.

Here I thought I read "Senator Akume's F!ngering Case Adjourned Again".

Well, carry on.