…documents show four name variants

Running mate of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19 governorship election in Edo State, Gani Audu, is embroiled in a certificate forgery case, as documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) show discrepancies in his academic qualifications and other means of identification.

The discrepancies appear in a number of documents and show a trail similar to the inconsistencies found in the academic credentials of the sacked deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, which caused the APC to lose the state after the Supreme Court ruled that his certificates were defective thereby nullifying the party’s ticket in that state’s recent governorship election.

To compound Audu’s woos, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) has instituted a court case at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking the court to disqualify the candidate of the APC as result of the defective certificates of his running mate.

The ADP is asking the court to rule that certificates submitted by Audu are forged and that he was not fit to stand for the September 19 governorship election in Edo.

In the documents, while Gani Audu swore to an affidavit submitted to INEC with his name as Audu Abudu Ganiyu, his other documents bear conflicting names.

A legal expert, Mr Blessed Omonuwa, who assessed the documents, said, “While his name on the affidavit is Audu Abudu Ganiyu, in his voter’s card, his name is Audu Abdul Ganiyu. Likewise, in his APC membership card, his name appears as Gani Audu. The WASSCE/GCE certificate he submitted bears Audu Ahudu Ganeyu.

“His APC membership card bears the name Audu Gani. The discrepancies are bewildering. The action violates section 182 (1) (j) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended).”

“Hence, there is no way we can say that a person with this conflict of names is the same as the Gani Audu we see today on the campaign trail of the candidate of the APC.

“The only explanation one can hazard is that he may have used the academic credentials of another person and tried to pass off as that person. The case is watertight and may well spell the end of the APC campaign trail as they are sure to suffer the same fate as their party’s candidate in Bayelsa, who had similar liabilities in his certificate.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/edo-2020-inec-receives-documents-alleging-certificate-forgery-by-ize-iyamus-running-mate/amp/
Mynd44
Lalasticlala

I saw the headline on vanguard some minutes ago.Edo is not Lagos. Obaseki is not ambode.

The same reason Oshiomole gave for the disqualification of his estranged former political godson.APC just seems to be more notoriously cursed with this spell of certificate forgery issue

Even the intraparty processes leading to the emergence of the party candidates for the governorship election is just lawless because the court have nullified the Adams Oshiomole led NWC.Politicians & certificate forgery are inseparable twins.

What is the outcome of this if found culpable?

APC and forgery is just inseparable.

flyingpig:
What is the outcome of this if found culpable?

Disqualification for both Governor and Deputy Governor.

Just too bad. They didn't learn a thing from Bayelsa

When you're shouting but your enemy is silent. Fear him. Oshiomohle no dey learn

Nawao everybody around Oshiomhole are fake.

Lalasticlala o
But what do i know, is it not nigeria again? Once malami the attorney general is on his side, it won't be ruled against him. He should just pray to be in the good books of malami.

So all the kneeling, begging and dancing of Oshomole will soon go in vein. Chai !

Oshiomole's political career in Edo state is coming to an end just like how Wike ended that of Amaechi in Rivers state.

flyingpig:
Lalasticlala o
But what do i know, is it not nigeria again? Once malami the attorney general is on his side, it won't be ruled against him. He should just pray to be in the good books of malami.

I foresee bayelsa saga repeating itself which malami couldn't influence

Eriokanmi:
I foresee bayelsa saga repeating itself which malami couldn't influence

in that case the election will proceed and they can only be annulled after the election? Or they can be withdrawn from it ahead of the election?

APC and forgery are like bread and butter.

After the Bayelsa episode, you would think APC has leant their lesson. I blame the Adamu Oshi Omo Ole. The drug he shares with Tinubu has become his undoing.

Even though bearing in mind Obaseki will trashed them mercilessly in the polls, this too is another window of victory.

Together is a win-win situation for the wake and see governor. Xombie bastards and suya master can go and die


#EdoNoBeLagos

Eriokanmi:
I foresee bayelsa saga repeating itself which malami couldn't influence

It will repeat itself for obaseki.apc already took him to court for forgery

jchioma:
After the Bayelsa episode, you would think APC has leant their lesson. I blame the Adamu Oshi Omo Ole. The drug he shares with Tinubu has become his undoing.

They learnt their lesson.pdp did not,apc has sued obaseki and shuaibu for forgery.by the way the 14 days timeline has lapsed

Dansuqi:


They learnt their lesson.pdp did not,apc has sued obaseki and shuaibu for forgery.by the way the 14 days timeline has lapsed

Which14 days? Lawya wwan Akowè

Dansuqi:


They learnt their lesson.pdp did not,apc has sued obaseki and shuaibu for forgery.by the way the 14 days timeline has lapsed

The case of forgery won't get a consequential hearing until immunity by both persons is vacated. However, coming up at the Tribunals, will be their best bet IF Obaseki wins.
MODIFIED;

Dansuqi:
We have discussed severally that a governor and his deputy are not immune from pre election or election cases.

Very true..

***For the 14 days, that "contentious" verdict of Feb 2019 will rear its head again......So 14 days will not stand.

If there is any truth in this case....14 days won't be a factor especially if that case will still be handled by Justice Ekwo at the FHC. ***


ejimatic

Amitez:


Which14 days? Lawya wwan Akowè

Oga,all election or pre election cases are filed not more than 14 days after its occurrence.you are a regular face here,am disappointed that you will be arguing such elementary issues

fergie001:

The case of APP v Uche Nwosu & 2 Ors.....
14 days doesn't stand...

If there is any fact in this case....14 days won't be a factor especially if that case will still be handled by Justice Ekwo at the FHC.

That nwosu matter is a judicial mistake,a rarity,a slip of judgment.I don't know why you like bringing it.it came up after the elections and moreover it did not involve the two major parties.much seriousness was not attached to it.

Anyway,justice odili in the most current ruling on pre election timeline in lokpobiri vs apc still affirmed the sacredness of that 14 days.that judgment came long after nwosu judgment.therefore for the last time,bury this nwosu issue

fergie001:

The case of forgery won't get a consequential hearing until immunity by both persons is vacated. However, coming up at the Tribunals, will be their best bet IF Obaseki wins.

For the 14 days, that "contentious" verdict of Feb 2019 will rear its head again......So 14 days will not stand.

If there is any truth in this case....14 days won't be a factor especially if that case will still be handled by Justice Ekwo at the FHC.


ejimatic

We have discussed severally that a governor and his deputy are not immune from pre election or election cases.immunity does not extend to electoral matters..
For the 14 days,it is settled

Dansuqi:
That nwosu matter is a judicial mistake,a rarity,a slip of judgment.I don't know why you like bringing it.it came up after the elections and moreover it did not involve the two major parties.much seriousness was not attached to it.

Anyway,justice odili in the most current ruling on pre election timeline in lokpobiri vs apc still affirmed the sacredness of that 14 days.that judgment came long after nwosu judgment.therefore for the last time,bury this nwosu issue

The judgement came up in Feb, Guber elections were in March.

I have serially complained about that part especially the SC upholding it.

In this kind of cases, the prosecution or defence explores what they can bring to the table...and what we do here on NL is to lay bare everything so that we can look up the legal gymnastics both might utilise.

It is neither in your position or mine to begin to apportion which judgement of the SC is a slip or not. It is theirs to decide.

Nwosu could have had a fighting chance in Imo Guber but for that "slip" you mentioned.

I agree with you that Mary Odili (JSC) in almost all her pronouncements have always held on to that 14-days which is a Constitutional Provision, but her Senior at the SC, Olabode Rhodes-Vivour JSC upheld a decision ruled on past 3 months sef.

The problem is......What should we do?

firo08:
I saw the headline on vanguard some minutes ago.Edo is not Lagos. Obaseki is not ambode.

Calm down, your wailing is just warming up.

fergie001:

The judgement came up in Feb, Guber elections were in March.

I have serially complained about that part especially the SC upholding it.

In this kind of cases, the prosecution or defence explores what they can bring to the table...and what we do here on NL is to lay bare everything so that we can look up the legal gymnastics both might utilise.

It is neither in your position or mine to begin to apportion which judgement of the SC is a slip or not. It is theirs to decide.

Nwosu could have had a fighting chance in Imo Guber but for that "slip" you mentioned.

I agree with you that Mary Odili (JSC) in almost all her pronouncements have always held on to that 14-days which is a Constitutional Provision, but her Senior at the SC, Olabode Rhodes-Vivour JSC upheld a decision ruled on past 3 months sef.

The problem is......What should we do?

The dominant and preponderant precedent is that of odili.seniority is irrelevant here.moreover the 14 days is embedded in our statutes.until decided otherwise,we will stand by the 14 days rule...

Anyway,ADP can still bring the issue to the tribunal so let us not waste our time.moreover looking at the merit of the case,I see consistency in surnames

First this is a sponsored news article.

Second, it is dead on arrival. Nothing will come out of it because the people are wiser now.

The Bayelsa case was a mistake and it won't happen again. It happened in the first place because it was not taken serious at the trial stage. A typical example of lack of diligent prosecution on the part of APC legal. At the appeal Court the decision of the trial court was overulled but at the Supreme court it was upheld.

Just the same thing that happened to PDP in the Imo case but this kind of things cannot happen again a second time just like that. The case of the present PDP deputy Governor in Bayelsa comes to mind. At least every one can see the diligent prosecution on the part of his legal team. They are not taking anything to chance.

Third, based on the write up the applicants are alleging forgery which is criminal offence and must be proved beyond reasonable doubt by calling witnesses and providing hard facts/evidence. When you allege something is forged the onus still lies on you to show the original or how it was forged which most times is very difficult [see Okezie Ikepeazu vs Uche Ogah 2017, Atiku Abubakar vs Buhari 2019 & Uzodima vs Ihedioha 2020]. The issue is not just to allege forgery but the problem is proving it beyond reasonable doubt and that is why most applicants prefer to say that the defendant supplied wrong information which is not the same as forgery.

Finally I can place a bet on this case that it would be struck out because I see no major inconsistency in the names. Looking at names one constant factor you find is AUDU which is constant in all the four names. The second is GANI which the argument will now centre on the spelling of the full name Ganiyu or Ganeyu or just Gani. The last is the middle name Abdu.

For me its a straight forward case unlike the Degi's own. Thank God the makers of those documents such as WASSCE, VOTERS CARD & APC membership card can be subpoena by the court to give evidence.

Finally I see this case as part of those distractions that comes with politicking in Nigeria of which the APC should not take lightly and should put up a good legal representation [Olanikpekun comes to mind] who would in turn put up a good defense.

Dansuqi:


The dominant and preponderant precedent is that of odili.seniority is irrelevant here.moreover the 14 days is embedded in our statutes.until decided otherwise,we will stand by the 14 days rule...

Anyway,ADP can still bring the issue to the tribunal so let us not waste our time.moreover looking at the merit of the case,I see consistency in surnames

Well, until then... ..We will scatter it here as usual.