Yesterday, during the proceedings at the Ogun State Governorship Election Tribunal in Abeokuta, Mr. Olufemi Olaleye, an official from the West African Examination Council (WAEC), revealed that the examination body does not retain duplicate copies of candidates’ certificates.
He explained that to verify a candidate’s participation in WAEC exams, the original certificate issued to the candidate is sent to WAEC.
The tribunal had previously summoned WAEC to produce a copy of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s 1978 WAEC certificate, which was submitted with his form to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu, had alleged that Governor Abiodun forged his WAEC certificate.
According to Adebutu’s petition, Abiodun presented a forged West African Examinations Council School Certificate from June 1978 to INEC on July 25, 2022.
Adebutu had sent a letter to WAEC to verify the authenticity of the certificate submitted by Abiodun to INEC.
When questioned at the tribunal, Mr. Olaleye, the WAEC official, confirmed that he did not have the requested certificate with him.
However, he provided evidence of the subpoena issued to WAEC. After his testimony, Olaleye was discharged, and his appearance was recorded as PW73 before the tribunal.