From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has dismissed allegations of forgery and impersonation made against the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Edozie Njoku, by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).

In his judgment delivered yesterday, Mohammed Madugu, sitting in the Bwari division of the court, held that the prosecution failed to adduce any credible evidence to prove the 14-count charge it preferred against the defendants.

Meanwhile, an elated Njoku, in his reaction to the judgment called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately comply with the verdict of the court and accord him recognition as the authentic national chairman of the party.

The police had, on November 22, 2022, arraigned Njoku and the National Youth leader of the party, Chukwuemeka Nwoga, for allegedly forging a judgment of the Supreme Court in an appeal marked: SC/CV/686/2021 and presenting same as genuine with the intent to mislead the public.

The force alleged that the defendants committed offences that were punishable under sections 179 and 366 of the penal code law.

But, the court further held that police were unable to discharge the burden of proof that was placed on it by the law.

It held that the prosecution did not establish how Njoku, being the national chairman of APGA, committed the alleged impersonation.

Madugu consequently struck out the charge for lack of documentary and oral evidence to sustain it.

The court held that in view of the lack of sufficient and credible evidence, the prosecution has failed woefully to prove its case against the defendants.

Madugu held that by provision of Section 138 of the Evidence Act, the onus was on the police to establish the criminal allegation levelled against the defendants, beyond reasonable doubt.

“It is crystal clear that internal disputes in APGA had played a significant role in causing the complexity of this case. Although there were elements of conspiracy in the charge, the prosecution also failed to produce any evidence to link the defendants with the offence.

“In accordance with section 178 of the penal code, the prosecution did not establish any dishonest intent from the letter Njoku wrote to Mary Peter Odilli, retired.

“I find the 1st defendant, Njoku and the 2nd defendant, Chukwuma Nwoga not guilty as charged, and therefore, they have been discharged and acquitted,” Justice Madugu added.

The defendants had, through their team of lawyers, led by Panam Ntui, urged the court to discharge and acquit them, insisting they had no case to answer in the matter.

The police had earlier withdrawn the charge it filed against a staff of the Supreme Court, Ogunseye Adebisi, whom it accused of complicity in the alleged forgery.

It alleged that Adebisi, who served as secretary to Odili, was involved in the forgery of the judgment.

Specifically, police told the court that the defendant had on or about May 6, 2022, “dishonestly and intentionally” masterminded the insertion of the name of Njoku, as the 2nd respondent in a legal action that was instituted against the party by one of its aggrieved members, Jude Okeke.

Meanwhile, reacting to the judgment, yesterday, Njoku told newsmen that he has been vindicated, even as he thanked the Chief Judge of High Court, Hussein Baba Yusuf, for ensuring the matter was not withdrawn from Madugu, despite moves in that direction.

He expressed joy that the court recognised him as the national chairman of APGA, in line with the previous decision of the Supreme Court.

There is nothing as great as truth. The court has cleared me of forgery, conspiracy and impersonation allegations and even went on to declare that I am the national chairman of APGA and that I have power to write letters in that capacity.

“The INEC had refused to recognise me as the national chairman of the APGA because I am facing a criminal charge. Today, I have been absolved of any wrongdoing.

“So, what else will INEC say that will make them not accord me full recognition. What will they say is the next problem? Maybe, there is a plot to pin APGA down, but we must ensure the party remains afloat,” Njoku said.