Yakubu Busari, Jos
Former deputy speaker of the Plateau State House Assembly, Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan, told a court in Jos, where he is standing trial for a case of certificate forgery, Wednesday, that his diploma certificate obtained from the University of Jos, was not “forged.”
Hassan, who opened defence, led by defence counsel, Edwin B. Ede esq, also tendered original copies of his educational credentials and other documents to support his evidence.
Hassan tendered an original letter written to his Counsel by the State of Commissioner Police.
He told the court during cross examination by plaintiff counsel, David Ibeawuchi, that he studied to obtained a Diploma, in business administration which he concluded and was issued with the certificate in 1994.
“I attended two tertiary institutions, I went to the University of Jos, and I also went to the National Open University of Nigeria.”
He said his University of Jos, diploma certificate was used to apply for a degree course
Hassan, further said he used the degree he obtained from the University of Jos, to gain admission for his Masters in the same University of Jos, and, “I am still using it to seek for my PhD admission at the same university”
He further testified that he studied at the national Open University and graduated in 2017, with another BSc.
“I am not aware that University has disowned issuing me the diploma certificate, I am just seeing this document now,” he avered. Hassan, urged the court to dismissed the case.
The Nigeria Police Force, Plateau Command standing witness to the case tendered three documents to confirm his diploma certificate issued by University of Jos .
The witness, inspector Sunday Baba, the officer attached to State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Jos, said the anti- robbery section, of the CID formerly headed by one DSP Gowon Ali, now serving in Abia State, embark on a thorough investigation into the certificate forgery.
He told the court presided by Justice Musa Kurya, of the Jos division of the federal High Court 2, that he was called upon to present some documents to the court.
“I tendered a letter from the University of Jos, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, dated 25th February, 2016, second one is a letter addressed to the Assistant Commissioner state CID Jos, dated 16 April 2015, the 3rd one is Police investigation report dated 28 June, 2016,” he tendered.
Justice Kurya ruled and marked the documents as exhibits DW 15, DW16 and DW 17, respectively.
Defence counsel, Edwin B. Ede esq, further presented another witness, Aleyi Oloche esq, who also tendered two documents marked as exibhit DW 13 and 14.
He said during cross examination that: “One is a letter written by my self of Aleyi Oloche and Co, by the instruction of my client Ibrahim Baba Hassan to the registrar dated 16 July 2015.
“The other one a reply to the said letter from the University of Jos, in particular the office of the registrar dated 27 July 2015, signed by Samuel C. Mwansat, the deputy registrar.”
He said based on the content of the reply from the University he was satisfied that the diploma certificate was not forged.
The first defendant, Ibrahim Baba Hassan, closed his defence.
Hon. Hassan, is standing trial in a 2015 pre-election suit filed against him, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by one Abdul Sale.
But the defence counsels to the 2nd and 3rd defendants, being the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barr. Ledak Dafer, and Barr. Fatima Narogo, told the court that there witnesses were not in court. They however sought for adjournment of the matter.
Justice Musa Kurya, adjourned the matter for continuation of hearing to Wednesday, 30th January, 2019.
