Symbol of justice
Victor Efeizomor in Asaba
Delta State Democratic People’s Party (DPP) vice chairman, Mr. Ossai Abey, and three other party stalwarts were at the weekend arraigned before an Asaba Magistrate Court for alleged certificate forgery and defamation.
Other accused persons are Paul Chibogu , Mgbadike Goddy and Chief Raphael Nduka Oputa, who are members of the DPP in Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency. They pleaded not guilty to the 15-count charge preferred against them.
The accused were charged for allegedly forging a West African Examination Council (WAEC) result No 1580332 purportedly belonging to Delta ex-Speaker Olisa Enebeli Imegwu, an offence punishable under section 467 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C21 Vol 1 Laws of Delta State 2006.
Accounting to the count, “ You Paul Ossai Abby , male , Magbadike Goddy, male , Chief Raphael Nduka Oputa and others now at large on the 2nd March , 2011 at Asaba in the Asaba Magistrate Districk did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; forgery and thereby committed an offence punishable under 516 of the Crinimal Code Law Cap C21 Vol 1, Laws of Delta State 2006”
The accused were also charged with conspiracy to commit misdemeanor to wit: publication on defamatory matters.
The prosecuting lawyer, Mr. David Abuo, in an oral application told the court that the fifth accused person, Hon Charles Udogu Onyekweli, was not in court to take his plea and urged the court to strike out his name from the charge sheet pending his appearance in court.
Counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Ikhide Ehigelua in his submission, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter, saying the offence for which the accused persons were brought before the court were committed in Abuja. He also urged the court strike out count 15 as the court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the case because the offence was committed in Abuja.
The accused persons, Paul Chibogu is DPP Chairman, Ndokwa East; Ossai Abey, Vice-Chairman, DPP Delta State, and Raphael Opute, Chairman Ndokwa East.
Chief Magistrate Sylvester Ehikwe of Asaba Magistrate Court 1 soon after the accused persons took their plea adjourned to 14th February for further hearing in the matter.