The
West African Examinations Council, National Youth Service Corps and the
Inspector-General of Police were on Tuesday summoned to appear before
an Abuja Federal High Court over an alleged certificate forgery case
brought against the Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, by Mr.
Philip Agbese.
The IG, WAEC and the NYSC are to appear on June 17.
The summons came as a mild drama ensued
at the commencement of the sitting when the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr.
Amobi Nzelu, disowned a report by his junior partner during the court’s
last adjourned date.
The junior partner, one Mr. Nwokorie,
who stood in for Nzelu, had informed the court that his principal was
absent because of sickness.
But Nzelu on Tuesday told the court that the information was wrong.
He said, “I wish to inform the court
that on that date March 21, 2013, I appeared before your learned brother
at Court 34 at the FCT High Court, Apo.
“I was however embarrassed when the
following day, there were media reports that my junior lawyer told the
court that I was sick.
“My lord, that is not true. I am hale and healthy. I will never use sickness as an excuse.”
Akume’s lawyer, S. T. Hon (SAN), described the development as embarrassing.
Hon said, “It is embarrassing for a
counsel to come and tell the court that his principal was sick only for
the principal to come and say it was a lie.
“The counsel was speaking from the Bar;
it is unfortunate because counsel’s statements from the Bar are
expected to be nothing but the truth.”
Nwokorie stunned the courtroom when he rose to deny telling the court that his principal was sick.
The Presiding judge, Justice A Mohammed,
taken aback at Nwokorie’s denial, asked, “Are you trying to challenge
the records of the court? If you want to challenge the records of the
court, you will have to file an affidavit.”
Following this, Nwokorie apologised, saying, “I am very sorry. I will never challenge the records of the court.”
PUNCH
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