A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, dismissed a certificate‑forgery case filed by the Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI) against Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva. The suit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/1563/2022, was withdrawn after the plaintiff’s lawyer, Edward Onaga, applied to the court for its removal.
Minister Sylva’s lawyer, John Ebokpo, argued that the withdrawal request stemmed from the realization that the case was baseless, having been adequately defended by Sylva. Consequently, Ebokpo asked the court to reject the plaintiff’s prayer for withdrawal and instead issue an order dismissing the case outright.
The defendants named in the suit included the Director‑General of the Department of State Service, the Inspector‑General of Police, the Attorney‑General and Minister of Justice, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Sylva himself. TADI had sought Sylva’s suspension and prosecution, alleging that he had provided false evidence and presented fraudulent academic credentials for the political positions he held. The group claimed discrepancies in the names on his academic documents among other allegations.
In a counter‑affidavit, Sylva maintained that the plaintiff’s suit was founded on falsehoods and intended to ridicule him. He asserted that his credentials were legitimate, supporting his claim with a deed poll and a gazette publication that clarified the name differences. The Inspector‑General, represented by lawyer Matilda Ugowe, also maintained that the suit was baseless and the plaintiff’s allegations unfounded.
A copy of the judgment dated 8 March, signed by Justice Nwite and obtained by our correspondent, shows that the matter was struck out. Justice Nwite stated: “After hearing Edward Onaga, the counsel to the plaintiff, who conceded that the matter can be dismissed and the defendant counsel not objecting, it is hereby ordered that in view of the plaintiff’s counsel, who conceded that the matter be dismissed, the suit is hereby dismissed.”
Comments are closed for this story.