Alleged Falsification of age and certificate: Nigerian Police, ICPC to probe Yinka Alufokhai
By James Inarume
It appears that the Nigerian police are preparing to investigate a case of perjury instituted against the Edo State Labour Party’s deputy governorship candidate, Mrs Yinka Faith Alufokhai
Faith Alufokhai reportedly lied under the oath, however, in a legal proceeding perjury is a serious offense that can undermine the integrity of the legal system.
Investigating and prosecuting perjury cases is important for maintaining trust and ensuring that justice is served.
Disputed Edo State Labour Party’s deputy governorship aspirant, Mrs Yinka Faith Alufokhai will be facing perjury prosecution based on a petitioned signed by a Civil Rights Organization, Empowerment For Unemployed Youth Initiative (EFUYI) and addressed to the Nigeria Police Force and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offices Commission (ICPC).
In the acknowledgement copies of the petitions signed by the Nigeria Police Force and ICPC which was made available to journalists in the nation’s federal capital territory, Abuja, the group is seeking the prosecution of Mrs Alufokhai and her subsequent 14 years imprisonment in accordance to the nation’s Constitution for lying under oath.
It was widely reported in numerous news media early this month how Mrs Alufokhai, on page 2 of her affidavit sworn at the Epe Division of the High Court on March 22, 2024, Alufokhai stated that she was born on May 18, 1981 in Imo State; yet on page 4 of the same affidavit, she claimed that she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate in 1981 – the same year she was born.
“With great patriotism and in keeping with our mandate to fight corruption, we write to petition your esteemed office to probe and prosecute the substituted Edo State Labour Party (LP) Gubernatorial running mate, Mrs. Oluyinka Faith Alufokhai for perjury”.
“Mrs. Oluyinka Faith Alufokhai, the erstwhile running mate to Mr. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party is rumoured to have submitted false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Our independent investigation reveals that, according to the documents submitted to INEC under oath, the candidate is said to have claimed to have obtained her First School Leaving Certificate in the same year she was born.
This is entirely false as it is obvious she has doctored her age to criminally deceive INEC and indeed Nigerians. Such despicable act amounts to perjury and diminishes her integrity and prospect for contesting elections to the office of a Deputy Governor”.
“In line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC recently published the list of governorship and deputy governorship as well as other candidates in their Benin City office, Edo State. A perusal through the document especially form EC9 revealed damning discrepancies. For instance, on page 2 of her affidavit sworn at the Epe Division of the High Court on March 22, 2024, Alufokhai stated that she was born on May 18, 1981 in Imo State; yet on page 4 of the same affidavit, she claimed that she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate in 1981 – the same year she was born”.
“Regardless of whether she’s substituted for her fraudulent dealings or not, we are confident in the ability of the Nigerian Police to deal with this national embarrassment by swiftly arresting and prosecuting her.
This is because, under the Nigerian law, anybody who gives false information on oath has committed an offence of perjury and is liable under Section 118 of the Criminal Code to 14 years imprisonment. Mrs. Oluyinka Faith has shown great contempt to the Nigerian state by willfully breaking the law even as she swears on oath that every information provided to INEC is to the best of her knowledge, correct”.
“Be informed too that Mrs. Oluyinka Faith Alufokhai has been variously involved in fraudulent and other unwholesome corrupt practices in the past. It is also on record that Mrs. Oluyinka Faith has previously been suspended as Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area for embezzlement of funds. Her reckless abuse of office and penchant for criminality deserve the scrutiny of the law and the Nigerian Police Force must intervene to put an end to his her impunity”.
“As patriots and partners in Nigeria’s democratic culture, we are committed to ensuring that justice is served including using all legal avenues at our disposal. We shall not relent until Mrs Oluyinka Faith and Olumide Akpata are made to answer for their actions”, Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta signed on behalf of the petitioners.
