On Monday, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the allegations of forgery related to a discharge certificate that were brought against Enugu State Governor, Barrister Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo rejected these allegations due to the Corps’ failure to provide sufficient evidence and legal defense to support their claims.
In the judgment of a lawsuit filed by the governor against the NYSC, the judge imposed a fine of N5 million on the Corps, to be paid jointly to the plaintiff, for concealing facts and conspiring against him in these serious allegations.
The court determined that the plaintiff’s unchallenged evidence showed that he had been issued the discharge certificate by the NYSC in 2003 after completing his service at a law firm in Lagos. The NYSC was unable to present any counter-evidence, making it evident that the plaintiff had indeed fulfilled the mandatory one-year service.
Justice Ekwo emphasized that the burden of proving forgery allegations rested primarily on the NYSC, and since they failed to do so, the governor’s evidence was more compelling and believable.
Mbah had initiated legal action against the NYSC and its Director of Corps Certification, Ibrahim Muhammad, for publicly disclaiming the issuance of a discharge certificate to him on January 6, 2003.
Further details will be provided later.