Supreme Court upholds Gov Suswam's election

Gov Suswam THE Supreme Court on Friday upheld the election Governor Suswam of Benue State, dismissing the suit that sought to remove him from office over an allegation that he tendered a forged West African Examination Council, WAEC, certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

A five-man panel of justices of the Supreme Court, dismissed the case as grossly lacking in merit, even as they upheld the verdicts of the two lower courts.

Delivering a lead judgement on the appeal, Justice Suleiman Galadima, held that there was “no iota of credible evidence to support the allegation of certificate forgery.”

“The allegation of falsification of academic qualification is criminal in nature and requires proof beyond every reasonable doubt. The appellant has failed to effectively discharge that burden.

“The appeal lacks merit and is hereby accordingly dismissed. There will be no award of cost against the respondents.”

Kakih, in his appeal, insisted that the governor, used the said bogus certificate and obtained form CF001 from INEC in order to participate in the 2011 general election.

Besides, he challenged the legitimacy of the PDP primary election that produced Suswam, contending that it was not conducted in line with either the Electoral Act, the party's constitution or guidelines.

It was his argument that Suswam was not constitutionally qualified to contest the governorship election in the state.