TheCable

The Enugu state governorship tribunal has dismissed the petition of Chris Agu, candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), against the election of Peter Mbah.

The petitioners had submitted that Mbah was not qualified to run for the governorship office on the grounds that he forged his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate. 

They also alleged that the governor had been indicted for corruption and entered a plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the past.

However, the tribunal chaired by Kudirat Akano on Thursday held that the petitioner failed to prove the allegations contained in their suit.

The tribunal held that there was no evidence before it to support PRP’s claim that a forged certificate was submitted to INEC, adding that the issue was not contained in the petitioner’s affidavit.

Akano stated that to prove forgery, the original and the supposedly forged certificates ought to have been exhibited.

On the issue of plea bargain, the tribunal held that the exhibits presented by the petitioners didn’t show any plea bargain by the respondent.

Instead, the court held that the evidence presented by Mbah showed that he was acquitted of the charges.

The tribunal also ruled that the petitioners failed to prove their allegation that Mbah was not elected by the majority of lawful votes cast.