PDP chieftain submitted fake certificates to LASIEC, witness insists

A prosecution witness, who was formerly the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Chairman of Agbado Oke-Odo Local Government Area, Segun Shodia, in the ongoing trial of forgery against a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Otunba Ayinde Busari, yesterday, told an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court that Ayinde submitted forged GCE result and affidavits to Lagos State Electoral Commission, LASIEC in 2011.
Shodia, who was cross examined by the defence counsel, Fola Elegbinde, insisted that the documents submitted by the defendant were forged, adding that police investigations also confirmed that the defendant forged an affidavit before a Lagos High Court in Oyo State.
When asked by the defence counsel why the defendant was cleared by LAISEC to contest the 2011 local government elections if he actually forged the documents, Shodia said: “LASIEC requires candidates to submit all documents before an election, I do not know if he submitted it, but it is the job of LASIEC to verify a claim when raised by an opponent.”
The matter was adjourned to December 8.
The defendant, who was declared winner of Agbado Oke-Odo election in 2012 by Justice S. Owobiyi, was arraigned for alleged forgery and perjury.