A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit filed against the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
The plaintiffs, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/553/2020, accused the governor of engaging in certificate forgery.
The plaintiffs in the suit are Edobor Williams, Ugbesia Abudu Godwin and Amedu Dauda Anakhu.
They accused Obaseki of forging his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree certificate in Classical Studies from the University of Ibadan.
The plaintiffs contended that the alleged certificate forgery contravenes section 182(1)(i) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
They prayed the court to among others, hold that Obaseki is “not qualified to run or seek election to the office of the governor of Edo State” in the forthcoming 2020 governorship election.
At the mention of the case on Monday, neither the plaintiffs nor their lawyers were in court. The defendant, too, was not represented.
Rather, the plaintiffs, in a statement through their attorneys – Shores and Savana – declared on Monday:
“It would be recalled that the plaintiffs were opposed to APC nominating Godwin Obaseki as its gubernatorial candidate for
the September 19, Governorship Election for Edo State on account of Mr. Obaseki’s inconsistent educational history, false credentials and forged Affidavit.
“These were the same reasons for which APC eventually disqualified Godwin Obaseki from participating in the APC Gubernatorial primaries of 22/6/2020 to the satisfaction of the plaintiffs.
“The plaintiffs voluntarily filed a Notice of Discontinuance of the said suit having achieved their objective of stopping APC from sponsoring Godwin Obaseki.
“The public must take notice that the case was never considered on merit. Plaintiffs would take further steps after the nominations of all the parties are concluded and the names of their candidates submitted to INEC.”
In view of the development, Justice Anwuli Chiekere proceeded to strike out the suit.