As IF Nigeria's National Assembly is a den certificate forgers, a Federal High Court, sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday, ordered the remand of Nse Ekpenyong, member representing Oron Federal constituency, in the National Assembly over alleged certificate forgery.
Recalls the upper legislative chamber prominent members are into various certificate forgery allegations.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had arraigned the lawmaker on a 9-count charge of forgery and alteration of documents.
Ekpeyong was alleged to have forged an Abia state polytechnic Ordinary National Diploma, OND, certificate.
EFCC also accused the lawmaker of altering a December 1999 West African Examination School Certificate, WASSCE, which he presented before an electoral tribunal, claiming they were genuine.
The lawmaker, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him
The prosecuting counsel, Ahmed Arogha, shortly after he pleaded not guilty asked for a trial date and accelerated hearing on the matter.
Counsel to the lawmaker, Emmanuel Isangidoho, told the court that he had filed an application for the bail of his client, and urged the court to admit him to bail.
The trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million, with one surety in like sum.
Justice Ojukwu ordered that the defendant remain in custody pending the perfection of his bail.
The case has been adjourned to April 26.
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