Court Dismisses Birth Certificate Forgery Case Against Governor Nyesom Wike

Court Dismisses Birth Certificate Forgery Case Against Governor Nyesom Wike

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the case alleging
that Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State, forged the certificate
containing details of his birth.  

The suit, which was filed by Elvis Chinda, alleged that Wike forged
the certificate stating his age in the documents he presented to the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The suit sought to disqualify the Governor, who is seeking reelection
on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  Chinda had a
sought a determination from the court on if the birth Certificate
(Statutory Declaration of Age) attached to Wike’s Form CF001 presented
to INEC was forged.  

According to the suit, as at 1986 when the certificate was allegedly
obtained, Obio/ Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers was not in
existence, adding that the local government in question was created in
1989 by Decree No 12 of 1989, two years certificate was said to be
issued.  

Ruling on the matter, Justice Inyang Ekwo noted that the suit at the
was filed outside the provisions of Section 285, Subsection 9 the 1999
Constitution, which should have been 14 days after the cause of action
had taken place. The suit was thereafter dismissed.