Rep-elect sued over alleged forgery – TheNigerialawyer

A member of the House of Representatives representing
Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency in Delta State, Hon. Ossai
Nicholas Ossai, has been dragged to a Federal High Court in Asaba
by his constituents over an alleged forgery.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Inspector
General of Police and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were
joined as co-defendants in the suit.

The suit was filed on behalf of the constituents by Uche Collins
Osamezu, Kingsley Oge, Ifeanyi Okonji, Aghanenu Monday and Nkechi
Odigidawu.

In an affidavit in support of the suit deposed to by Ozamezu, it
was averred that in his quest to win another term in the green
chamber, Hon. Ossai lied on oath in his INEC form CF001 that he had
never been indicted for fraud by a judicial commission of inquiry
or any administrative panel of inquiry.

The deponent averred that the lawmaker intentionally withheld
the information in respect of his arrest, investigation, indictment
and arraignment for forging INEC result sheet during the 2011
National Assembly election.

“The 4th defendant (Hon. Ossai) knew very well that he was
arrested and investigated by the 3rd defendant (PDP) sometimes in
2012 wherein statements were recorded from the 4th defendant and
one, Mr. Chris Nwosu, the head of operation in the office of the
1st Defendant (INEC).
“That the aforesaid Chris Nwosu stated clearly in his statement to
the police that the result sheet presented by the 4th defendant for
unit 14 ward 9 of Ndokwa/Ukuani Local Government Area does not
exist.

“That the 4th defendant knew very well that he was arrested,
indicted and charged for forgery, uttering of false document,
procuring execution of documents by false pretence and making
document without authority in charge No. A/48c/2013, by the 2nd
defendant (IGP),” the deponent further averred.

It was added that the charge was subsequently struck out for
want of diligent prosecution and non-appearance of the lawmaker in
court.

The plaintiffs want the court to order investigation into the
circumstances that led to the striking out of the charge against
the lawmaker.

This, they claimed would afford them the opportunity to
determine whether Hon. Ossai is a fit and proper person to continue
to represent them having won another term in office.
They are consequently seeking the following reliefs:

“A declaration that the 4th defendant lied on oath in his
Independent National Electoral Commission Form CF001 when he
declared on oath on the 15th day of October 2018 that he has never
been indicted for fraud by a judicial Commission of Inquiry or any
Administrative panel of Inquiry.

“A declaration that 4th defendant lied on oath when he declared
on the 15th day of October 2018 that he has never presented any
forged certificate to INEC.

“A declaration that the 4th defendant cannot validly continue at
all material time to occupy the seat in the House of
Representatives of Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency of Delta
State having got the position in a dishonest and fraudulent
manner.

“An order directing the 2nd defendant to ensure that charge No.
A/48c/2013 is being relisted and diligently prosecuted to a logical
end.

“An order directing the 1st Defendant to forthwith withdraw the
certificate of return issued to the 4th defendant for the seat of
House of Representative in the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal
Constituency.”

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