Obaseki Graduated In 1979 – UI Deputy Registrar

The authorities of the University of Ibadan, on Tuesday, cleared the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, of alleged forgery of his degree certificate levelled against him by the All Progressives Congress.

The case, however, would continue in court today (Wednesday) at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Deputy Chief Registrar, Legal Affairs, UI, Abayomi Ajayi, disclosed that the certificate was issued to Obaseki by the institution in 1979 after his formal graduation.

Ajayi, who testified on subpoena, told Justice Ahmed Mohammed that the governor graduated from the university.

Relevant pages of UI calendar for 1976, admission brochure for degrees, award of diplomas and certificates and Obaseki’s application for admission and another one for collection of his certificate from the university were tendered by the witness and admitted as exhibits by the court.

The Deputy Chief Registrar further stated that the records of the university shows that Obaseki was admitted as student in 1976 through direct entry and graduated in 1979.

Under cross examination by counsel for the APC, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), the witness said, “I will not regard the photocopy of the original certificate as forged, but incomplete photocopy, because the certificate of the University of Ibadan is larger than the paper upon which the photocopy was made.”

An unofficial advisor to the Edo State Governor, Charity Aiguobarueghian, had earlier admitted making the disputed photocopy of the original degree certificate for his principal.

All the certificates, which are original copies, were admitted as exhibits by Justice Mohammed.