The Newly sworn in Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has been alleged of forging his National Youth and Service Corps certificate he tendered to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Benjamin Youdiowei, approached the Area Court in Lugbe, Abuja, alleging that the Peoples Democratic Party Deputy Governorship candidate submitted a forged exemption certificate to INEC.
Youdowei alleged that Ewhrudjakpo had been using the forged document as part of his credentials.
The NYSC certificate is dated February 2, 1998, with number 139708.
The presiding judge, Abubakar Sadiq, had on November 27, 2019, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Ewhrudjakpo following his absence from the court for the day’s proceedings.
He had also ordered the police to investigate the deputy governor before issuing a fresh order directing the DSS to take over the investigation.
Ewhrudjakpo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was until his swearing-in as the Bayelsa State deputy governor on February 14, 2020, the senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District.
He was sworn in alongside the state governor, Duoye Diri, following the February 13, 2020 judgment of the Supreme Court nullifying the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates in the last governorship election in the state.
Recall that the Supreme Court sacked the APC Governor-elect, David Lyon, after his deputy Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo, was said to have submitted forged certificate to INEC.
