it has been confirmed by the Department of State Service(DSS) that there is an alteration in the exemption certificate issued by the NYSC to the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Lawrence Oborowharievwo Ewhrudjakpo.
this is discovered after Vijah Opuama, the candidate of the Liberation Movement (LM) for Bayelsa state Governorship Election on 16 Nov 2019,had petitioned the tribunal, alleging that the Senator submitted Forged exemption certificate and Document that contain false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prior the Election.
Abdulsalam Ibrahim, DSS Head of Legal Department who represented DSS’ Director General, told the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Tribunal in Abuja that the alteration was uncovered following an order issued by an Abuja court for an investigation into allegation of forgery against the Deputy Governor. Ibrahim said;
“Based on the foregoing and the relevant documents forwarded to this service, it is evident that the subject altered the spelling of his surname to reflect the letter D as against the letter O in the certificate of exception earlier issued by NYSC.”
Under thorough Examination by Emmanuel Enoidem, the lawyer to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it became confirmed that the alteration in the certificate was effected by the NYSC upon the request by Ewhrudjakpo.
Following the conclusion of Ibrahim’s testimony, the petitioner’s lawyer Pius Danbe Pius said his next witness is Ewhrudjakpo who has been subpoenaed to produce the original copy of the certificate of exemption.
The case has been adjourned till Tuesday June 2 by the tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Ibrahim Siraj. It is expected that the hearing of a motion by Ewhrudjakpo, challenging his invitation as the petitioner’s witness will be heard on the said by then.
