The Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State has defended its former student, Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, a member-elect of the House of Representatives, against accusations of presenting forged certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The polytechnic said the allegations were untrue, adding that Etteh’s credentials were not forged. The Examination Certification Division of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education and Temple Gate Polytechnic in Aba, Abia State also challenged the accusations against Etteh.
Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the All Progressives Congress candidate in the February 25 National Assembly election in Akwa Ibom State, brought forward the allegations and has taken Etteh to court, alleging that he was not qualified to stand for the election due to inconsistencies in his name and the documents he submitted to INEC. Eyiboh wants the tribunal to declare him the winner of the election.
Etteh’s counsel, Barrister Ekpenyong Ntekim, argued before the tribunal that Etteh obtained his certificates from recognised educational institutions in Nigeria and that there was no clash between his qualifications.
Testifying before the tribunal on Wednesday, the representatives of both institutions of learning tendered evidence of Etteh’s academic qualification, including his admission letter, attestation letter, results, and application letter. The Registrar of Temple Gate Polytechnic, Mr Goodluck Osemene, argued that all documents presented by Etteh were valid and represented his true certifications. Mr Alexander Anukam, the Deputy Registrar of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, also presented a letter of admission for the Higher National Diploma program, which Etteh completed after his Pre-HND in the same institution, as well as other documents, to show that Etteh lawfully acquired his certificates.
Akaninyene Inyang, the Deputy Director, Examination Certification Division of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education, also testified that the Primary School Examination First School Leaving Certificate ledger was genuine and issues to Etteh in 1998 after he completed his primary school examination in the state as an external candidate in 1988.
After extensive cross-examinations, the three-man panel of justices, led by Justice Kudirat Jose, adjourned the hearing until June 22, 2023, for the adoption of written addresses on the case.
