Nigerian Police Arrest Former Speaker Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

Strategic Insights -

Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested a prominent politician, Hon. Friday Konbowei Benson, former Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and Bayelsa Central Senatorial candidate for the 2023 elections, over alleged certificate forgery. Benson, who defeated incumbent Senator Moses Cleopas in the PDP primaries, is accused of submitting forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by Cleopas, who cried foul over the modalities adopted for the primary election. The police arrested Benson at his residence in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, and took him to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for questioning.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hon. Friday Konbowei Benson, a former Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and Bayelsa Central Senatorial candidate, was arrested by the Nigerian Police Force over alleged certificate forgery.
  • Benson defeated incumbent Senator Moses Cleopas in the PDP primaries, polling 110 votes to Cleopas's 22.
  • Senator Cleopas accused Benson of submitting forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and dragged him to the Federal High Court in Yenagoa.
  • The police arrested Benson at his residence in Yenagoa and took him to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for questioning.
  • Sources close to Benson claim that there is no cause for alarm, and that the allegations are a non-issue that Benson will easily defend himself against.
  • Senator Cleopas denied instigating the police to arrest Benson, stating that he has a right to write a petition against someone he believes used forged documents.

Statistics:

  • Benson polled 110 votes to defeat incumbent Senator Moses Cleopas, who received 22 votes in the PDP primaries.
  • The Federal High Court in Yenagoa is hearing the case brought by Senator Cleopas against Benson.

Sources:

  • LEADERSHIP (no date provided)
  • Source close to Benson (no date provided)
  • Senator Cleopas (no date provided)