Forgery: Lawyers clash over forensic report on Akeredolu’s signature

Forgery: Lawyers clash over forensic report on Akeredolu’s signature

Controversy is still raging in Ondo State over the allegedly forged signature of the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, as legal practitioners differed on the forensic reports presented by the state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources in the state, Razaq Obe.

National Periscope reported earlier that an Akure-based lawyer, Femi Emodamori, faulted the forensic results presented by Obe, over the alleged forgery of Akeredolu’s signature and also doubted the authenticity or credibility of the letter and the purported forensic report.

Emodamori while faulting Obe’s forensic reports stated that “my observation or finding is that a quick online search at the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) shows that the “Act of Positive Transformation Initiative” on behalf of which the purported forensic expert claimed to have carried out the forensic examination, is not registered and therefore not a juristic entity in law.

“It does not exist. In other words, the purported forensic examination was carried out on behalf of a non-existent person or ‘client’.

“This renders the purported forensic report itself a suspected fraudulent document or false certificate within the context of Section 105 of the Criminal Law of Ondo State, a serious criminal act regarded as a felony.

“It is akin to a medical doctor issuing a medical report in the name of a fictitious or non-existent patient. If the forensic report is built on such a fraudulent foundation, every other claim therein becomes seriously tainted with fraud.”

However, another lawyer from the state, Tolu Babaleye, expressed disappointment in Emodamori for saying that the forensic firm is not registered, and maintained that the forensic organization is a registered one.

In a statement signed by him, Babaleye said “I am disappointed to hear that a lawyer was quoted to have said that the Act for Positive Transformation Initiative that sought for Forensic analysis of the forged signature of Aketi from Nigeria and abroad is not registered.

“The lawyer claimed to have cross checked with the Corporate Affairs Commission. I put it to that lawyer that he is not correct. Act For Positive Transformation Initiative was duly registered with CAC.

“Let the lawyer maintain his relationship with the Ondo State without joining issues unnecessarily.  I hereby attach evidence of registration with CAC.

“I thank the people of Ondo State for their cooperation thus far, we are in the struggle to get to the root of this issue.”

“Meanwhile, whoever sees that Lawyer should help me to tell him that we don’t need a registered name to report an act of corruption in Nigeria as EFCC and ICPC Act (s) recognised anonymous petition.

However, Emodamori while responding to Babaleye in his reaction, said “I, Barrister Femi Emmanuel Emodamori stand by my assertion on this.

He queried that “Is the name on this (purported) certificate the same as the name on the purported forensic report in law and fact?”

“The answer is a capital No! In any event, the name on this certificate is definitely not that of Engr. Rasaq Obe.

“My own write up is about the claim of the Honourable Commissioner. It has nothing to do with your reported EFCC petition. I think it’s better for my Learned Friend, Tolu Babaleye, to be eager to hear and slow to speak in circumstances like this. In any event, I hope he is making his own cool ‘aluta money’.”