The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled November 26 for a hearing on a request aimed at forcing the police to examine and bring charge...
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled November 26 for a hearing on a request aimed at forcing the police to examine and bring charges against Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze regarding alleged fake certificates.
The Director of Lands Administration under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nwankwoeze, is alleged to have submitted a counterfeit Ordinary National Diploma (OND) certificate from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
Justice Ekerete Akpan set the date after an ex-parte application was submitted by the applicant: the Incorporated Trustees of Dependable Patriots for Nation Building and Transformation Initiative.
The suit, labeled: FHC/ABJ/CS/2050/2025, was recorded and submitted on September 26 by the legal team headed by Abdulkabir Badmos.
The individual filed a lawsuit against the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and Mr. Nwankwoeze Williamson Chijioke, who were named as the first, second, and third defendants respectively.
It requested two forms of relief, including a writ of mandamus that would force the first and second defendants to investigate and prosecute the third defendant regarding the allegations of forging a result statement from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
It claimed that the third defendant utilized the mentioned certificate to secure a position within the federal civil service.
It also requested permission for the applicant to deliver the initial motion, notice of hearing, and any further documents in the case to the third defendant through alternative methods.
The program requested the court to authorize the delivery of legal documents to the officials at the Office of the Director of Lands Administration, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), located at No. 4, Peace Drive, Central Business District, Abuja.
Presenting a 10-point argument, the attorney stated that the initiative is a non-profit entity registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) according to applicable regulations.
Badmos mentioned that one of the goals of registering the initiative is to advocate for the maintenance of justice, combat corruption, and encourage accountability and transparency within government positions.
He mentioned that the plaintiff sent a letter to the I-G and NPF, asking for an investigation into the claims that Nwankwoeze submitted a fake or fabricated result statement to secure a position in the federal civil service.
The plaintiff submitted the necessary documentary evidence to the first and second defendants, revealing actionable offenses under applicable laws, yet the first and second defendants have not taken any action up to now.
"The first and second defendants are legally responsible for investigating and prosecuting offenses under the Police Act, 2020, including the forgery charges brought against the third defendant in this case," he stated.
He stated that forging or presenting false documents to gain an unfair benefit is a grave violation in our nation, and investigative bodies should not be perceived as protecting public officials from being held accountable.
The attorney stated that if the court does not force the I-G and NPF to examine and bring charges against Nwankwoeze, they would keep ignoring these serious accusations.
Badmos stated that there is a valid reason to assume that serving the legal documents at Nwankwoeze's office would inform him of the lawsuit.
The attorney, who mentioned that the court has the authority to force the I-G and police to carry out their legal responsibilities, stated that approving the request is in the interest of justice and effective governance.
In the sworn statement submitted in support of the ex-parte motion, provided by the Executive Secretary of the initiative, Comrade Emmanuel Nwosu, it was claimed that Nwankwoeze utilized a fake result to secure entry into the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, located in Anambra.
Nwosu mentioned that the group gets anonymous reports and whistleblower submissions informing them about any suspected corrupt activities taking place within any department of the Nigerian government.
He mentioned in one of those hints, the organization was sure that the third defendant had created a result statement dated January 16, 1997, regarding the granting of a Diploma in Architectural Technology.
He claimed that the certificate was supposedly issued by Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, in order to secure a position within the federal civil service.
As per Nwosu, a copy of the mentioned result statement is included and labeled as 'Exhibit C.'
He also claimed that Nwankwoeze utilized the fabricated score to secure enrollment at Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra.
That the applicant had, on January 15, directed its lawyers, Ike, Ike and Associates, to send a letter to the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, requesting verification or denial of the result statement being promoted by the third defendant.
In response to the letter from the mentioned solicitors, the Deputy Registrar, Exams and Records at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, verified that the stated result is counterfeit.
"A copy of the registrar's letter dated March 12, 2025, is included and labeled as 'Exhibit D,'" he stated.
He mentioned, in this context, the organization sent a letter to the I-G and NPF, "asking for an investigation into the claims of using and submitting fake or forged result statements against the third defendant."
He mentioned that all necessary documentary evidence had been submitted to the I-G and the police, yet no action had been taken.
Nwosu, who stated that the police are legally responsible for investigating and prosecuting violations of different laws, mentioned that there is no other legal option available to the applicants given the situation in the case.
He stated that he is certain that Nwankwoeze is a government employee and currently holds the position of Director in the Lands Administration, FCTA. According to the protocols and procedures followed in his office, he does not accept documents intended for him personally.
He stated that it would be in the interest of justice to allow the application for a mandamus order against the I-G and NPF in court.
"If this application is granted, it will not harm the defendants, as they will still have the chance to defend the case in the manner they see fit," he stated. (NAN)
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
