Kanyi Okeke
Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo is asking a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to compel the West African Examination Council (WAEC), to produce a copy of the certificate it purportedly issued to Senator Hope Uzodinma in 1982.
Keyamo said that his move became necessary following the refusal of WAEC to respond to his letter dated May 14, 2013 where he requested for a Certified True Copy of the senator, who represents Imo West Senatorial District in the senate. The suit, dated July 2, 2013, was filed as an ex parte application on the strength of the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. It bore the tag, FHC/L/CS/921/2013.
The lawyer alleged that Uzodinma did not graduate from Mgbidi Boys High School in Imo State, where he claimed to have sat for and passed WAEC’s examinations in 1982.
Keyamo stated in an affidavit accompanying the suit, “The said Hope Uzodinma claimed to have graduated from the Mgbidi Boys High School, Imo State in 1982. “That inquiry and investigation into the names and persons that graduated in that year has revealed that Senator Hope Uzodinma was not a graduate of the school in 1982
Lmao I hope Hope Uzodimma wont behave like that senate president who took journalists to the school he claimed to have attended only to say he recognised the school with the fruit tree at the gate. Read the full report when you continue
Legal Practitioner and Human Rights Activist, Senator Festus Keyamo has filed a suit against the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, for its failure to release the Certified True Copy, CTC, of Senator Hope Uzodinma’s certificate.
In the motion ex parte, Keyamo seeks the following orders from the Federal High Court in Lagos:
“An Order, granting leave to the Applicant to apply for Judicial Review for an Order of Mandamus compelling the Respondent to produce the Certified True Copy of the West African Senior School Certificate of Hope Uzodinma to the Applicant, in accordance with Section 1(1), (2), & (4) of The Freedom Of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.
“And for such further order or other orders as this Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this Application.
The reliefs sought by the applicant include: “An Order granting leave to the Applicant to apply for Judicial Review for an Order of Mandamus compelling the Respondent to produce the Certified True Copy of the West African Senior School Certificate of Hope Uzodinma to the Applicant, in accordance with Section 1(1), (2), & (4) Of The Freedom Of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.
“And For Such Further Order Or Other Orders as this Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this Application.
The document noted that the reliefs are sought on the grounds that: “The Applicant pursuant to Section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2011 has with a letter dated 14th May, 2013 applied to the Respondent to produce the Certified True Copy of the West African Senior School Certificate of Hope Uzodinma to the Applicant.
The Respondent (WAEC) has ignored and/or refused to produce the Certified True Copy of the West African Senior School Certificate of Hope Uzodinma to the Applicant in accordance with Section 4 of the Freedom of Information,FOI, Act 2011.
Keyamo, who furthere listed the facts leading to the application, said “Hope Uzodinma, a Senator of the Federal republic of Nigeria has always claimed to be an Alumni of Mgbidi Boys High School, Imo State from where he allegedly obtained his West African Senior School Certificate in 1982.
“The said Hope Uzodinma claimed to have graduated from the Mgbidi Boys High School, Imo State in 1982.
“That inquiry and investigation into the names and persons that graduated in that year has revealed that Senator Hope Uzodinma was not a graduate of the school in 1982.
“Consequent upon the legal activities of the Applicant, there has arisen a need to verify the claims of Hope Uzodinma by the Certified True Copy of his West African Senior School Certificate.
“The Applicant is an active legal practitioner and a senior member of Nigeria Bar Association that has resolved to fight and expose corruption in public places in Nigeria and is passionately involved in legal activities for the protection of human right.
“By a letter dated 14th day of May, 2013 served on the Respondent on the 24th day of June, 2013 the Applicant has applied for the production of the Certified True Copy of the West African Senior School Certificate of Senator Hope Uzodinma. Attached a marked exhibit “A” is the acknowledged copy of the said letter dated 14th May, 2013.
“On the 1st day of July, 2013 at 10.00am Festus Afeiyodion, a Counsel in Chambers visited the Respondent’s office with a view of collecting the Certified True Copy of the West African Senior School Certificate of Senator Hope Uzodinma but he was left unattended to till the close of work.
“The Respondent has ignored and/or refused to produce the Certified True Copy of the West African Senior School Certificate of Hope Uzodinma.
Ding!!!Dong!!!! I saw this coming. I will see to the end of this Drama. Uzodinmma has no certificate to produce, please let me grab a chair and Dry Gin…hahaha.