ABUJA, Nigeria – In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed allegations of forgery against Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and has imposed a fine of N5 million on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for asserting that the governor’s discharge certificate was counterfeit.
The case emerged when Governor Peter Mbah filed a lawsuit against the NYSC and its Director, Corps Certification, Ibrahim Muhammad. This lawsuit was prompted by the NYSC’s issuance of a disclaimer, denying the authenticity of the discharge certificate granted to Mbah on January 6, 2003.
However, the NYSC, in response, submitted a preliminary objection dated May 19, seeking the dismissal or striking out of the lawsuit on the grounds of jurisdiction and competence.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the certificate presented by Governor Mbah to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was indeed authentic and had been validly issued by the NYSC. Justice Ekwo also stated that the Director-General of the NYSC and the corps were found guilty of misrepresenting material facts.
The court explained that Governor Mbah, during his service, had sought and obtained permission from the NYSC to attend the Nigeria Law School. He was subsequently reinstated into the NYSC in 2003.
The judge emphasized that the evidence presented by Governor Mbah on how the discharge certificate was issued to him in 2003 after his service at a law firm in Lagos remained unchallenged. In contrast, the NYSC failed to provide counter-evidence, making it clear that Governor Mbah had completed his mandatory one-year service.
Justice Ekwo pointed out that the responsibility to prove forgery allegations rested heavily on the NYSC, and the organization failed to meet that burden. Consequently, the court found Governor Mbah’s evidence to be more substantial and credible.
This judgment effectively clears Governor Peter Mbah of the forgery allegations and highlights the validity of his NYSC discharge certificate.