Police to arraign Kwara lawmaker over alleged forgery of certificate

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo has fixed March 21 for the arraignment of Saba Adamu, a lawmaker representing Edu/Moro/Patigi federal constituency, Kwara north-central, in the House of Representatives.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had instituted a five-count charge marked CR/97/2022, bordering on alleged falsification of results.

According to the charge dated 21st November, 2022, signed by Mr. F. Gabriel, Saba, then an APC candidate was accused of a forged certificate claiming a BSc. in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to secure mobilisation for National Youth Service Corp, NYSC, contrary to Sections 363 of Penal Code Act.

The police counsel also informed the court the lawmaker had written a petition, alleging bias in the investigation carried out by the police while also requested that a fresh investigation should be conducted.

The lawyer then sought an adjournment to enable the police conduct further investigation before arraignment.

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The presiding judge, Angela Otaluka, later adjourned the matter to March 21 for feedback on the investigation and possible arraignment.

It was reported that the lawmaker was absent at the court session on Tuesday

Saba and the long legal battle

In February 2023, the same Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, asked the Police to arrest and produce Ahmed Saba on March 27 in court over the case.

He had earlier been arrested and charged for alleged certificate forgery but was later granted bail with a surety.

When the case later came up for hearing on February 14, Saba and his surety were absent in the court.

Justice A.O Otaluka had told Francis Gabriel, the prosecution counsel to ensure that Saba and his surety were present on March 27 when the court sits on the matter again.

Gabriel told the court that the politician has been on the run since he was granted bail.

The police after investigation found out that Saba was involved in certificate forgery as his claims of graduating from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria was found to be false.

He participated in the one year compulsory National Youth Service (NYSC) in Kano state.

While the investigation was going on, Saba escaped from police custody and was re-arrested and granted administrative bail.

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ABU says Saba never graduated from School

The authorities of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, in their letter of reply to enquiries made by the police, stated that although Ahmed Saba was at one point a student of the University, he never graduated due to carryover which he was unable to remedy even after a second attempt.

The institution also denied ever clearing him for participation in the NYSC scheme, as he never graduated from the university.

What the charge says

The charge preferred against Saba Ahmed Adamu in the suit marked CR/97/2022, for offences he committed between 2002 and 2003 includes: “Forgery when he fraudulently presented a forged B. Sc. certificate in Economics purported to emanate from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with Registration No. U97EC1017 in Social Sciences (Business School) to NYSC for mobilization into the Service Scheme, wherein he was mobilized to Kano State for one-year mandatory national service, knowing same to be fake, thereby he committed an offence contrary to Section 364 of Penal Code Act;

“Impersonation when he fraudulently presented himself as a graduate and a B. Sc. holder in Economics, purported to have graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with Registration No. U97EC1017 in Social Sciences (Business School), though a student of the University but never graduate in the said institute nor was he issued said certificate, he committed an offence contrary to Penal Code Act;

“Making False Document when without lawful authority he dishonestly or \fraudulently made a False Document by making false B. Sc certificate in Economics, purported to emanate from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, with the intent to mislead the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who acted on same and mobilized him for one-year mandatory national service in Kano State Nigeria, you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 363 of Penal Code Act;

“Making False Document when without lawful authority he dishonestly or fraudulently made a sign, seal on B. Sc. certificate in Economics, purported to emanate from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, with the intent to mislead the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who acted on same and mobilized him for one-year mandatory national service in Kano State Nigeria, he committed an offence contrary to Sections 362 of Penal Code Act;

“And False Personation – when he dishonestly or fraudulently made a false statement and caused the management of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to mobilize him for one-year mandatory national service in Kano State Nigeria while acting on B. Sc. certificate purported to emanate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria knowing same to be false, he committed an offence contrary to Sections 179 of Penal Code Act.”

What the penal code says

According to the Penal Code law, any person who forges any document, writing, or seal, is guilty of an offence punishable by imprisonment up to 14 years in each of the count charges.

Adamu, if convicted, risks imprisonment of up to 50 years.