Bayelsa deputy governor NYSC exemption certificate saga.

Last week the People's Democratic Party (PDP) danced and celebrated as the Apex court in their ruling sacked the Apc's candidate David Lyon who won the November 16 government election in Bayelsa state. The Supreme Court, in an unexpected turn of event, sacked the All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate, David Lyon, Thursday 13 February 2020 over alleged misinformation on the certificate of his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo. Consequently, Senator declaring Douye Diri AND Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo of the PDP winners and returned elected as Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State respectively. The newly elected governor and deputy have been sworn into office, with APC going to court for full war. This even have sparked lots of tension in the state leading to violent protest from the opposition supporters.

But the story seems to be changing slightly with news emerging that the newly sworn in deputy governor has a cased lingering in court over allegations of forging his NYSC exemption certificate. The suit was filed against him by by Mr Benjamin Youdiowei, Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa in a Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja. The plaintiff alleged that Ewhrudjakpo presented a forged NYSC Exemption Certificate with code No: 139708 dated Feb. 2, 1998 on his nomination form to INEC. He also alleged that Ewhrudjakpo was still in possession of the document which he continued to use as part of his credentials.

He alleged that the defendant committed the offence of cheating, impersonation, forgery which were at variant with sections 363, 368, 366 and 324 of the Penal Code. Ewhrudjakpo failed to appear before the court and was issued a bench warrant by the judge, Abubakar Sadiq. However, pursuant to the provisions of the Area Courts law and being dissatisfied with the ruling and orders of the said Area Court, Senator Lawrence appealed against the said orders or summons made against him on the ground that he is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Area Court and he took further steps in compliance with section 16 of the Area Courts law to appeal against the said Court ruling at the High Court where the appeal is still pending.

In further compliance with sub-section 3 of the said Section 16 of the Area Courts law, Senator Lawrence through his counsel brought a notice of his application to the High Court for inquiry into and possible determination of whether he is subject to the jurisdiction of the Area Court or not and also in the said notice, he brought to the knowledge of the court of his application for transfer of the cause before the Area Court to the High Court and also for a stay of the proceedings of the Area Court until the issue of jurisdiction of the Area Court is determined by the High Court in the spirit of the extant laws and judicial authorities. The question remains will this be an obstacle to the newly sworn governor and his deputy in Bayelsa state as seen with the APC candidate.