From Fem Folaranmi, Yenagoa
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit brought by a group, Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI), challenging the educational credentials of the Minister of Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva.
TADI had in the suit FHC/ABJ/ CS/ 1563/2022 with, the President, Director- General, Department of State Security, Inspector- General of Police, Attorney- General and Minister of Justice, Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Sylva as defendants sought the suspension of Sylva from office alleging that he intentionally gave false evidence and forged educational credentials for political positions held so far.
The group had declared that it investigated Sylva and discovered that he mismatched names on his educational credentials.
However, in a ruling by Hon Justice Emeka Nwite, made available to journalists, the Court dismissed the suit following an application by the Plaintiff’s Counsel to withdraw the same. The said application met with the dissatisfaction of the Defendants’ Counsel including the minister’s lawyer, Mr John Ebokpo, who informed the court that the application to withdraw same was based upon the Plaintiff’s realization that the case was baseless, having been adequately defended by the minister, hence he asked the Court to dismiss the case as against striking same out which the Plaintiff’s Counsel prayed the Court.
Sylva in his defence deposed to a counter-affidavit in person, asserting that the Plaintiff’s suit was predicated on falsehood and constitutes an attempt to ridicule his person as his credentials are legitimate.
He went further to provide a deed poll and gazette publication which laid the issue regarding the name differences on some of his credentials to rest.
The IGP who also defended the suit maintained the position that the suit was baseless as the facts alleged by the Plaintiff were unfounded.
This further strengthens the position that the suit was filed with a mischievous motive to blackmail and ridicule the minister.