The authorities of the University of Ibadan on Tuesday cleared Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state of alleged forgery of degree certificate brought against him by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The degree Certificate was confirmed to have been issued Obaseki by the University in 1979 after his formal graduation.
The Deputy Chief Registrar, Legal of the University, Abayomi Ajayi, who testified on subpoena told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the governor actually graduated from the University.
Led in evidence by Obaseki’s counsel, Ken Mozia, the witness adopted the witness statement on oath deposed to on December 31, 2020, in defence of Obaseki.
The witness maintained that from the records of the University, Obaseki was admitted as a student in 1976 through the direct entry and that he graduated in the year 1979, during the tenure of Professor Tekena Tamuno as Vice-Chancellor and S.J Okudu as Registrar.
Under cross-examination by counsel for APC, Akin Olujimi the witness insisted that the fact that some parts of the photocopies of the certificate were cut off by the photocopying machine, because of the largeness of the certificate did not invalidate the originality and the authenticity of the original Certificate.
Earlier, Charity Aiguobarueghian, an unofficial advisor to Obaseki had admitted making the disputed photocopy of the original degree Certificate for his principal.
He added that parts of the photocopy attached to form EC9 and submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were cut off because of the largeness of the original certificate.
All the certificates, which are original copies were admited as exhibits by the trial judge.
Meanwhile hearing in the matter has been adjourned to January 6.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
