Metro
UNIPORT faults lawmaker’s graduation claim
A lawmaker representing Aba North State Constituency, Emeka Nnamani, may have run into a cul-de-sac in the legal battle challenging his victory in the House of Assembly election held in April as University of Port Harcourt has faulted his claim that he graduated from the institution.
A letter from the Registrar of the University has disowned him saying he did not graduate from the University.
The lawmaker who contested on the platform of APGA was alleged to have used the certificate of the institution to fill his INEC forms for the April 2015 elections.
The lid was blown as a result of the fierce legal challenge being given Nnamani by his challenger, Dr. [Mrs.] Blessing Nwagba of the PDP.
Nwagba in her submission at National and State Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, alleged that Nnamani forged the University certificate to contest the election.
Consequently the tribunal headed by Justice S. Yahuzu admitted in evidence the letter from the Registrar of the University of Port Harcourt disowning Nnamani as a graduate of the University.
Also, the tribunal admitted in evidence a certified true copy of an expression of interest form filled by Nnamani who contested the PDP primaries in Enugu State for the House of Assembly, which the petitioner said was evidence that he was not qualified to contest in Abia State on the platform of APGA.
Read also: Senate forgery probe not over yet -IGP
The petitioner alleged that by the act that Nnamani was a member of two parties during the elections.
The lawyer to the petitioner, Chief K. C. Nwufo, SAN, told the tribunal that the respondent lied about his educational qualification, alleging that he never graduated from the University of Port Harcourt as claimed.
The petitioner has subsequently closed her case.
But counsel to Nnamani, Chigozie Ogunji, in his own submission said that the respondent was ready to enter his defense and maintained that there are no less than 10 witnesses that would give evidence.
The case has been adjourned till 24 and 27 of August by the Tribunal Chairman for the respondent to begin his defense.
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