The State Intelligence Bureau of Enugu State Police Command says it has established a case of forgery reported against the member representing Igboeze South/Nsukka Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Patrick Asadu and has forwarded its finding to the Department of Public Prosecution for appropriate legal advice.
This was contained in the Police Investigation Report with reference numberCB:4099/ENS/SIB/V.1/143 dated October 19, 2015 copy of which was obtained by Advocate Nigeria in Enugu. The report was signed by DSP Iwara Ibiang, Officer in-charge of Special Intelligence Bureau, SIB.
According to the report, the case of forgery was reported through a written petition dated 11th May 2015, and addressed to the Commissioner of Police Enugu State by one Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede “m” of No. 7 Ogbolu Street GRA Enugu against one Hon. Patrick Asadu of No 26 Dennis Osadeber Crescent, Apo Abuja and the matter was referred to SIB for investigation.
In the petition, Engr. Ugwuegede who was the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP House of Representatives candidate for Igboeze South/Nsukka federal constituency, alleged that on the 6thDecember 2014, he contested the PDP primaries for Igboeze South/Nsukka Federal Constituency with Hon. Patrick Asadu.
The petitioner said “he was declared winner after the primary election at Igboeze South/Nsukka Federal Constituency having scored the highest number of votes cast and was issued a result sheet form with serial number 0000324. That Hon Pat Asadu (allegedly) forged the same result sheet form with the same serial Number 0000324 and tendered it at the Federal High Court Abuja claiming it was issued to him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Headquarters Abuja.”
The police officer said that in the course of the investigation, they were able to confirm from the evidence of the Returning Officer of PDP produced by the petitioner “the authenticity of the result sheet Number 0000324 presented by Peoples Democratic Party National Headquarters declaring him (Ugwuegede) as the winner.
The investigators also said that the “affidavit deposed to by Adewale Oladipo the National Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party refuting the result presented by Hon. Patrick Asadu, further shows the questionability of the result sheet presented by Hon. Patrick Asadu.”
According to the investigation report which was copied to both Ugwuegede and Asadu, “The Forensic analysis shows that there was discrepancies on the signatures of Professor Adewale Oladipo the National Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, the National Secretary PDP(sic) (Chairman), Uchenna Ogbodo and Oluedo Ephraim the, electoral and returning officers of PDP primary election.”
In their conclusion/recommendation, the investigators said: “From the available facts in conjunction with the findings of the Forensic/Handwriting analysis, they were clear indications that the document in question, that is the result sheet presented by Hon. Patrick Asadu is a subject of Forgery. However, in view of involvement of a public officer, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, INEC and party officials, the case file was forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for appropriate legal advice, please.”
It would be recalled that INEC had issued certificate of return to Asadu based on the alleged forged election result and was subsequently sworn in as member of the House of Representatives while Asadu who contested the election on the platform of PDP had engaged in legal battle to recover his mandate since May this year.
The Police investigation Report is reproduced below:
STATE INTELLIGENCE BUREAU
Ref: CB:4099/ENS/SIB/V.1/143 Enugu State
The Conimissioner of Police,
The Nigeria Police Force, .
State Headquarters,
Enugu.
The Nigeria Police Force, .
State Headquarters,
Enugu.
Sir,
POLICE INVESTIGATION REPORT
RE: CASE OF FORGERY
COMPLAINANT: HON. IKECHUKWU UGWUGEDE “M” 54 YRS
SUSPECT: HON. PATRICK ASADU ‘M’ 51 YRS
INTRQDUCTION: This is a case of Forgery reported through a written petition dated 11th May 2015, and addressed to the Commissioner of Police Enugu State by one Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede “m” of No. 7 Ogbolu Street GRA Enugu against one Hon. Patrick Asadu of No 26 Dennis Osadeber Crescent, Apo Abuja and the matter was referred to
investigation.
FACTS OF THE CASE: The complainant alleged that on the 6th December 2014, he contested the Peoples Democratic Party primaries for Igboeze South/Nsukka Federal Constituency with Hon. Patrick Asadu. He further disclosed that, he was declared winner after the primary election at Igboeze South/Nsukka Federal Constituency having scored the highest number of votes cast and was issued a result sheet form with serial number 0000324. That Hon Pat Asadu forged the same result sheet form with the same serial Number 0000324 and tendered it at the Federal High Court Abuja claiming it was issued to him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Headquarters Abuja. Hence his petition.
INVESTIGATION: On the receipt of the petition, the complainant was invited and he volunteered his statement. On the 31st May 2015, the opponent Hon. Patrick Asadu was Invited to the office where he volunteered statement under caution, however denied the allegations. The officers that conducted the party primaries for Peoples Democratic Party that produced HON Ikechukwu Ugwuegede as The Peoples Democratic . Party flag bearer for Nsukka/Igboeze-South Federal Constituency, Uchenna Ogbodo and Oluedo Ephraim the electoral and the returning officers were invited and they all came and volunteered their statements freely.
Investigation was further extended to Peoples Democratic Party secretariat, both state, and National Headquarters Enugu and Abuja respectively, relevant documents were obtained, while Professor Adewale Oladipo tendered an oath from Federal High Court Abuja disassociating himself from the result sheet tendered V by Hon. Patrick Asadu. That he never signed or endorsed the result sheet Number 0000324, code PDOO4/NA/2014 declaring Hon. Dr. Patrick Asadu winner of PDP primaries of 6th December 2014, into the House of Representatives for Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency with 88 votes. He further declared that the said purported result’ sheet never emanated from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat”. To balance the investigation Hon. Patrick Asadu was also asked to produce the electoral and returning officers that conducted the primaries that produced him as the winner, Everistus Anibueze and Ibe Calistus for statement taking, which he never did. All the sample signatures of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officers that signed a result sheet Number 0000324 were sought for and those of Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha the National Organizing Secretary, Professor Adewale Oladipo, the National Secretary, that of Uchenna Obodo and Oluedo Ephraim electoral and returning officers were all produced and was sent to Forensic and Crime Data, Force Criminal/Investigation and intelligence Department, Nigeria Police for analysis and authentication of hand writing signatures. However, uptil the time of the report, Hon. Patrick Asadu has not produced Everistus Anihueze the electoral officer and Ibe Calistus the returning officer that conducted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries that produced him as the winner of Igboeze South/Nsukka Federal Constituency in 6th December 2014.
Meanwhile, the excerpts of the statement is as follows:
1) Engr Ikechukwu Ugwuege: He is the petitioner, 54 years old, a native of Ibeku-Opi in Nsukka Local Government area of Enugu State. He contested for the House of Representative seat for Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency under Peoples Democratic Party and was declared the winner of the primary with 83 votes and was issued with the result sheet serial number 0000324 on the 06/12/2014 and signed by all the Peoples Democratic Party officials that conducted the primary election. However, on the 28th March 2015 he was challenged by the suspect Hon. Patrick Asadu who is currently occupying the seat from the same constituency. He alleged that the suspect presented a forged result sheet with same serial number and signatories from the PDP officials that conducted the primary election.
2) Hon (Dr.) Patrick Asadu: He is the political opponent of the complainant in this case, a native of Amasa Village Ovoko in Igbo Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State. A parliamentarian and
currently the seating member House of Representing Nsukka/Igboeze
South Federal Constituency He denied the allegation of Forgery against him rather he contended that he won the primary election of Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency that was conducted on the 6th December 2014 with highest number of votes cast in the primary election. He concluded that, his result sheet with serial No. 0000324 from the Peoples Democratic Party is the authentic result sheet that returned him to the National Assembly through the Peoples Democratic Party primary election
currently the seating member House of Representing Nsukka/Igboeze
South Federal Constituency He denied the allegation of Forgery against him rather he contended that he won the primary election of Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency that was conducted on the 6th December 2014 with highest number of votes cast in the primary election. He concluded that, his result sheet with serial No. 0000324 from the Peoples Democratic Party is the authentic result sheet that returned him to the National Assembly through the Peoples Democratic Party primary election
3) Professor AdewaIe Oladipo: In his oath he declared that he is Christian, male, adult, a Nigerian of Wadata Plaza plot 1970, Michael Okpara Street, zone 5 Wuse Abuja, he is National Secretary Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), He declared that he never signed or endorsed the result sheet. Number 0000324, Code PDOO4/MN2014 declaring Hon. Patrick Asadu winner of Peoples Democratic Party primaries of 6th December, 2014 into the House of Representative for Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal constituency with 88 votes, and that the said purported result sheet never emanated from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was either scanned, cloned or otherwise produced. That he also believed that the purported signature on the said purported result sheet Number 0000324, code P0004/frlA,’2014 declaring Hon. Dr. Patrick Asadu winner of the Peoples Democratic Party of 6th December 2014 into the House of Representative for Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency with 88 votes was either lifted, copied, scanned or otherwise transferred from previous documen sign by him and .superimpose and pasted on the said document. That he deposed to this affidavit in good faith and in accordance with Oath Acts.
Democratic Party (PDP), He declared that he never signed or endorsed the result sheet. Number 0000324, Code PDOO4/MN2014 declaring Hon. Patrick Asadu winner of Peoples Democratic Party primaries of 6th December, 2014 into the House of Representative for Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal constituency with 88 votes, and that the said purported result sheet never emanated from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was either scanned, cloned or otherwise produced. That he also believed that the purported signature on the said purported result sheet Number 0000324, code P0004/frlA,’2014 declaring Hon. Dr. Patrick Asadu winner of the Peoples Democratic Party of 6th December 2014 into the House of Representative for Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency with 88 votes was either lifted, copied, scanned or otherwise transferred from previous documen sign by him and .superimpose and pasted on the said document. That he deposed to this affidavit in good faith and in accordance with Oath Acts.
4) Mr. OIu Ephraim: He is 42 years old, a native of Achi in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State. He is an Accountant by profession, and also Assistant Secretary Peoples Democratic Party, Enugu State. He was the returning officer for the December 6th 2014 primaries for Igboeze South/Nsukka Federal constituency where the petitioner Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede was declared the winner with 83 votes and the result was communicated to PDP National Headquarters Abuja.
5) Prince Uchenna Opbodo: He was the Electoral Officer of the Peoples Democratic Party primaries on the 6 December 2014 for the Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal constituency that produced Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede. He also tendered a copy of the result sheet signed by him.
FINDINGS: Based on the investigation l carried out, the following facts emerged
1. That on 6th December 2014, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held its primaries election for the National Assembly Aspirants for Igboeze South/Nsukka Federal Constituency at the Party House Nsukka.
1. That on 6th December 2014, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held its primaries election for the National Assembly Aspirants for Igboeze South/Nsukka Federal Constituency at the Party House Nsukka.
2 That Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede and Hon. Patrick Asadu, contested for parallel primary elections of Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency under the People Democratic Party.
3. That Uçhenna Ogbodo and Oluedo Ephraim are the electoral and returning officers that conducted the election which declared Hon Ikechukwu Ugwuegede the winner of the primary while Everistus Anibueze and Ibe Calistus are the electoral and returning officers that declared Hon. Patrick Asadu the winner in the other side.
4. That the Peoples Democratic Party National Assembly primary election result sheet No. 0000324 and code Number PDOO4/MA/2014 was issued to both candidates, but from different electoral and returning officers.
5. That whereas in the result sheets, one had a, questionable characteristics, that is the one presented by Hon. Patrick Asadu.
5. That whereas in the result sheets, one had a, questionable characteristics, that is the one presented by Hon. Patrick Asadu.
6. That while the Peoples Democratic Party, relied on the result sheet that declared Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede as the winner of the primary election to sponsor him for Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency Election of 28th March 2015, which he contested and won, Hon. Patrick Asadu on his own relied on the questionable result sheet Number 0000324 to obtain judgment at the Federal High court Abuja as the candidate that won the PDP primary election for Nsukka/lgboeze South Federal Constituency and was accordingly issued with INEC Certificate of Return and sworn in as elected member of the House of Representative.
7. That Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwugede produced the electoral and returning officers of Peoples Democratic Party who conducted his primary election and who also announced him the winner in the primary, while Hon. Patrick Asadu was unable to do same.
8. That the electoral and returning officers of Peoples Democratic Party whom Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede produce confirm the authenticity of the result sheet Number 0000324 presented by Peoples Democratic Party National Headquarters declaring him as the winner.
9. That affidavit deposed to by Adewale Oladipo the National Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party refuting the result presented by Hon. Patrick Asadu, further shows the questionability of the result sheet presented by Hon. Patrick Asadu
10. That the Forensic analysis shows that there was discrepancies on the signatures of Professor Adewale Olpdipo the National Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, Ahmadu Aclamu Mu’azu, the National Secretary PDP, Uchenna Ogboclo and Oluedo Ephraim the, electoral and returning officers of PDP primary election.
CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION: From the available facts in conjunction with the findings of the Forensic/Handwriting analysis, they were clear indications that the document in question, that is the result sheet presented by Hon. Patrick Asadu is a subject of Forgery. However, in view of involvement of a public officer, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, INEC and party officials, the case file was forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for appropriate legal advice, please.
DSP IWARA IBIANG
OFFICER IN-CHARGE SIB
OFFICER IN-CHARGE SIB
ENUGU STATE
cc
Engr. ikechukwu Ugwuegede
Engr. ikechukwu Ugwuegede
Hon. Patrick Asadu
