We Can’t Probe Obaseki Over Certificate Forgery-INEC

A plea to investigate Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, over alleged certificate forgery has been turned down by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC revealed that it could not probe the Governor because it had not been ordered by a law court.

Recall that the Action Democratic Party (APD) had claimed that Governor Obaseki forged his University certificate before he was declared as the winner of the last gubernatorial poll in Edo State.

The APD thus called on INEC to investigate the allegation.

Reacting to ADP’s demand, the electoral body said that it cannot delve into such issues because it has no court order to that effect and that this is beyond the limits of its official responsibilities.

INEC’s position was made avilable by its lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, on Sunday, November 8.

Awomolo said: “It is also not the duty of the first respondent (INEC) to investigate the origin of the said documents duly submitted to it.

“The information given by the 3rd respondent (Mr Godwin Obaseki) in the affidavit and documents submitted by him as a candidate at the election in INEC’s nomination form (Form C.F. 001) are presumed manifestly true or prima facie correct until and only if the contrary is proved and/or pronounced false by an order of the court.”