Spokesman of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has described the judgement of an Umuahia High Court dismissing the certificate forgery allegation against him as a victory for the rule of law and democracy.
Reacting to the judgement, Kalu said the judgement has further restored his confidence in the judiciary, saying, “as a believer in God, I was confident that He would not allow injustice to be meted against me.”
Okey Ezeala, who lost the APC ticket for the Bende Federal Constituency to Kalu, had gone to court alleging that the House spokesman presented forged certificates to INEC for the election.
He asked the court to direct INEC to withdraw his certificate of return.
However, in his judgement, Justice A.O. Chijioke of the Umuahia High Court, dismissed the suit against describing it as malicious and frivolous as it status bar in view of being a pre-election matter.
Justice Chijioke said the Ezeala failed to differentiate or prove his claims of forgery and impersonation against Rep. Kalu.
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The court also dismissed the attempt by the PDP candidate in the 2019 House of Representatives election, Chima Anyaso to join the suit.
The court also agreed with K.C Nwufor SAN, that the claimant ought to have produced the original bearer of the name which Kalu was alleged to have impersonated.
Kalu said: “As a product of the judiciary, I had absolute confidence in the ability of the judiciary to sustain justice especially when the facts speak so clearly for themselves.
“I have experienced the competence of the judiciary from the time of the elections, tribunal and court of appeal. So, I was certain that the judiciary would sustain their fairness and gladly they did not disappoint me.
“I thank my supporters who believed in me, who stood by me and showed great concern during this period.”
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