The Kogi High Court has scheduled October 23 as the date for a ruling in a case of alleged certificate forgery brought against Sam Ranti-Abenemi, the deputy gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The state government, represented by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Badama Kadiri, had filed an ex parte motion seeking a bench warrant against Mr. Ranti-Abenemi for his alleged failure to appear in court.
The government has accused the running mate of the SDP governorship candidate, Yakubu Ajaka, of submitting a forged GCE O’Level certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the upcoming November 11 governorship election. The charges against him include perjury, false declaration, use of false documents as genuine, and possession of a forged record.
The prosecution counsel argued that the accused had committed offenses under relevant sections of the Kogi State Penal Code. The case was initiated following a complaint submitted to the State Security Service (SSS) by Shaibu O. Abdullahi, the vice chairman of the Kogi Central Senatorial District of the SDP. The defendant allegedly refused to honor invitations during the SSS investigation, and the case was subsequently forwarded to the DPP’s office, which declared a prima facie case against Mr. Ranti-Abenemi. The prosecution requested a bench warrant to compel the defendant’s appearance in court.
However, the defendant’s counsel objected to the application, arguing that the state had not properly served notice on their client. After hearing both sides, Justice A.S. Ibrahim adjourned the hearing to October 23.
