Breaking News: Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah Dismisses NYSC's Claim of Fake Certificate

Mary Akanbi

6th November, 2023

Enugu State Governor, Barrister Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has been vindicated as the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed allegations of discharge certificate forgery by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Chief Emeka Ozaoni, SAN, led a team of distinguished lawyers in defense of the governor.

Representing Governor Mbah, Chief Emeka Ozaoni, SAN, along with Chris Oshomegie, SAN, and a group of eminent legal experts, emphatically refuted the NYSC's claim that they had not issued the discharge certificate to Governor Peter Mbah.

Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo, in agreement with Chief Emeka Ozaoni, SAN, rejected the allegations due to the Corps' inability to substantiate their claims as required by the law.

In a decisive ruling in favor of the governor, the judge imposed a fine of N5 million on the NYSC, to be paid jointly to the plaintiff, for concealing facts and colluding in baseless allegations against him.

The court ruled unequivocally that the evidence presented by Governor Mbah, demonstrating the legitimate issuance of the discharge certificate in 2003 by the NYSC after his service at a Lagos law firm, remained unchallenged. The NYSC's failure to present counter-evidence established that the governor had fulfilled the mandatory one-year service.

Justice Ekwo underscored that the burden of proving forgery allegations rested heavily on the NYSC, a burden they failed to meet, making Governor Mbah's evidence more compelling and credible.

Governor Mbah had filed a lawsuit against the NYSC and its Director, Corps Certification, Ibrahim Muhammad, for publicly disavowing the discharge certificate issued to him on January 6, 2003.

More details to follow...