Olodo?? Former Benue State Gov in Fake WAEC Scandal

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday summoned the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to appear before it on June 17, 2013 to shed light on the allegation that former Benue State Governor George Akume forged his WAEC certificate.
The high court, in a brief proceedings yesterday, held that WAEC must be properly served all the court processes in the case to enable it help the court determine the justice of the case. But Akume, who told the court that he had been served all court processes, however said that he was yet to file his defence. He said he was still within time to do so.
A Benue State indigene and activist, Mr Phillip Agbese, had sued Akume before the high court, alleging that the former governor presented forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the purpose of seeking election into the National Assembly.
Akume is currently representing Benue North-West Senatorial District in the National Assembly. Section 66 (2) (a) of the 1999 Constitution provides that “a person shall be qualified for election if he has been educated up to, at least, school certificate level or its equivalent.”
Akume must have a valid WAEC certificate to be qualified to contest election into the National Assembly. Agbese is also contending that even his degree certificate was forged. But hearing in the matter yesterday was stalled.
Meanwhile, there was a mild drama yesterday before proceedings commenced.
Lead counsel to Mr. Philip Agbese, who is the plaintiff in the case, Chief Amobi Nzelu, cleared the air on the controversy that trailed his inability to appear in court at the last adjourned date.
A counsel in the office of Nzelu, Mr Samuel Nwokorie, had at the last adjourned date told the court that his boss could not appear in court because he was indisposed. But Nzelu debunked the claim, saying that he was before another judge at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
Agbese, through his counsel, is praying the court for a declaration that Akume did not possess the certificate number SCO 39633 allegedly issued to him by Government Secondary School Oturkpo, Benue State in 1971.
Joined in the suit are WAEC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Inspector General of Police and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Agbese also asked the court to declare that the result allegedly issued to Akume by WAEC did not belong to him and that the defendant did not obtain any degree from the University of Ibadan or any recognised university in Nigeria.
The plaintiff also asked the court to declare that whatever documents that were presented to INEC by Akume consequent upon which he was cleared to contest the gubernatorial election in Benue State, especially the West African Certificate No SCO 39633 and the University of Ibadan certificate and NYSC discharge certificate No. 043655 were forged.
He also wanted a declaration that the senatorial seat of Benue North-West District of Benue State occupied by Akume was vacant having not possessed the requisite qualification to contest for the position.