The Rep is also challenging the competence of the charge of
certificate forgery and uttering of documents brought against him by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
At the resumed hearing today, defence counsel, Emmanuel Isangidoho, submitted that the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the charge.
At the resumed hearing today, defence counsel, Emmanuel Isangidoho, submitted that the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the charge.
However, the prosecution counsel, Ahmedu Arogha argued that
contrary to the submission of the defence counsel, challenging the jurisdiction
of the court to try the offence, the court should proceed with the trial of the
defendant which is the business of the day as the application challenging the
jurisdiction of the court was only just served on him in court and so un- ripe
for hearing. He urged the court to commence trial as his witnesses were in
court.
Though the judge turned down the prayers of the defence
counsel and ordered that trial commenced, the defense counsel again raised
another issue stating that he needed more time for the trial, alleging that
some documents were not attached to the proof of evidence.
In response, the prosecution informed the court that the
only document that was not attached was the Ordinary National Diploma in Public
Administration which he (defendant) has the photocopy.
After listening to the argument of both counsels, Justice
Ijeoma Ojukwu adjourned the matter to April 26, 2017 for trial and hearing of
the application.
Ekpenyong, a, member of the House of Representatives,
representing Oron Federal Constituency of Akwa- Ibom State in the National
Assembly, is facing a nine-count charge bordering on Forgery, Uttering of
documents.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge when he was arraigned on
March 30, 2017 .
Ekpenyoung is alleged to have forged an Abia State Polytechnic Ordinary National Diploma Certificate and uttered a December 1999 West African Examination School Certificate, WASSCE, and thereby committed perjury before an Electoral Tribunal where he claimed that the certificates are genuine.
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