Gov Otti's Appointee on “Security Trust Fund” Faces Certificate Forgery Allegations: Public Advocacy Group calls for urgent action(Document) | #NwokeukwuMascot

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Allegations of Certificate Forgery Surround Appointment of Owelle Greg Okafor to Abia State Security Trust Fund Committee | #NwokeukwuMascot 

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The recent appointment of Owelle Greg Okafor, a prominent business figure in Aba, to the Abia State Security Trust Fund Committee has stirred controversy following accusations of certificate forgery. Despite his stature in the community, concerns have been raised about his suitability for such a critical role due to alleged integrity issues.

Owelle Greg Okafor's appointment, initially welcomed due to his business acumen and financial standing, has been clouded by accusations from the Centre for Reform And Public Advocacy. In the statement signed by the Pro Democracy and public interest advocate organization’s Community Relations Officer, Mr. Mba Edu Emeri, the group asserted that Okafor engaged in certificate forgery during his academic tenure at Abia State Polytechnic, Aba. Citing documented evidence, they argue that these actions undermine his credibility and raise ethical concerns regarding his public service role. 

In their statement titled “Urgent Need to Withdraw the Appointment of Owelle Greg Okafor as a Member of the Abia State Security Trust Fund Committee Due to Manifest Evidence of Certificate Forgery,” the Anti-Corruption group detailed allegations regarding Okafor's graduation during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, citing significant discrepancies in academic timelines, issues with documentation, and conflicting signatures from Registrars.

“In order to demonstrate our assertion that Owelle Greg Okafor is infected with the vice of forgery as stated above, we bring to your Excellency's esteemed attention the following information which are evident from documents in our custody.

“Owelle Greg Okafor was admitted into the Abia State Polytechnic,Aba, in the 2018/2019 academic session, for a course that should run for at least 2 years and 4 months or 3 years as the case may be, inclusive of the Industrial Training (IT) period. Thus, the statement of result issued by the Abia State Polytechnic Aba, has August 2020, as effective date of graduation. The outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic brought academic programmes to a standstill , worldwide. There was no evidence of the Abia state polytechnic,Aba, teaching their students virtually or taking exams online. Nigeria experienced a total lockdown from March 2020 till around October 2020. It is thus, not possible that Owelle Greg Okafor graduated and fulfilled all the requirements within the Covid 19 total lockdown.

“The statement of result issued by the Abia state polytechnic,Aba, to Owelle Greg Okafor, is in the letter head of a retired Registrar as at the date of issue. It means therefore that Mrs C.A. Nwabughiogu, the retired Registrar, was also running the office of the Registrar of the Abia State polytechnic while on retirement, hence, she must have instructed Mrs Ogbuji Peace Ebere,to sign on her behalf. It is impossible for Mrs Ogbuji Peace Ebere, to sign for any Registrar without being authorized by the same Registrar.

“Faced with the above anomaly,  the Abia State Ministry of Post Basic Education, issued a query   to Oriaku Chinyere C, who claimed not to have had a new letter headed paper as at 30th November, 2021 when the statement of result certificate was issued to Owelle Greg Okafor. However, this was patent falsehood because the same Mr. Oriaku, had one month earlier, precisely on the 5th of October, 2021 used his letter paper to write a condolence letter to the immediate past Registrar when the latter lost her husband.

“Two different Registrars signing official documents that relates to the said result on the same day in Abia polytechnic, Aba, on the 30th day of November, 2021, the incumbent Registrar, Mr. Oriaku Chinyere C, wrote a letter to the General secretary of the Aba Sports Club in verification of the status of Owelle Greg Okafor as a student of Abia Polytechnic, Aba.

“The Said letter was signed by Mrs Ogbuji Peace Ebere for the incumbent Registrar, Mr. Oriaku Chinyere C,using his letter head. Surprisingly, on the same 30th day of November 2021, the statement of result for Owelle Greg Okafor, was also issued and signed on the same date by the retired Registrar,Mrs C.A. Nwabughiogu.

“The statement of result emanated from the office of the retired Registrar, (Mrs C.A. Nwabughiogu), while the verification of the same date emanated from the office of the incumbent Registrar (Mr. Oriaku Chinyere C), signed by the same Mrs Ogbuji Peace Ebere. By implication, it means that there were two Registrars in Abia state Polytechnic, Aba, on the 30th day of November, 2021.

“Graduated while the result was still being processed. There was a letter of attestation of result issued by the Abia Polytechnic management, signed by the same Mrs Ogbuji Peace Ebere, which Owelle Greg Okafor collected on 22nd November, 2021, affirming that he had graduated on August 2020. This means that he graduated before his result was processed by the tone of the letter.”

In response to these allegations, the Center for Reform and public advocacy calls for immediate actions Pending Investigation, urging authorities to suspend Owelle Greg Okafor from his position on the Abia State Security Trust Fund Committee until a thorough investigation clears him of these allegations. Additionally, they propose the establishment of a panel to probe the broader issue of certificate forgery at Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, aiming to root out systemic irregularities.

“Arising in the foregoing, we hereby state that; In accordance with the best practices, it is of utmost importance that Owelle Greg Okafor ceases immediately to be a member of the Abia state security trust fund committee pending when he is cleared of the issue of certificate forgery under investigation.

“That a panel be set up immediately to determine those involved in such forgery in Abia state polytechnic, Aba, in order to end the certificate racketeering in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.” Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy stated.

The controversy surrounding Owelle Greg Okafor's appointment underscores the importance of transparency and integrity in public appointments. As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders await further developments to clarify the veracity of the allegations and ensure accountability in public service appointments.