Nigerian Senator Arraigned for Alleged NYSC Certificate Forgery

Konbowei Benson, the senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, found himself in the eye of a legal storm as he was arraigned before the FCT High Court in Abuja. The charges brought against him revolve around the alleged forgery of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate.

Mr. Benson, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), faces a three-count charge including acting contrary to provisions of the Penal Code Act, forgery of the NYSC exemption certificate, and submitting the forged document to secure admission into the School of Postgraduate Studies of the Imo State University, Owerri.

The forgery allegations stem from a document titled ‘Certificate of Exemption’ bearing number 000256454 and dated 4 July 2008, which the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accused Mr. Benson of falsifying. Despite an earlier attempt to arraign him in February, citing ill health, Mr. Benson and his counsel, Gordy Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), were present in court for the recent proceedings.

The charges leveled against the senator include violating various sections of the Penal Code Act, with potential punishment under Section 364 of the same Act. Additionally, it is alleged that Mr. Benson fraudulently used the forged certificate to contest elections and gain admission into the Imo State University’s School of Postgraduate Studies.

Pleading not guilty to all charges, Mr. Benson now awaits the commencement of his trial, scheduled to begin on 28 March, as determined by the trial judge, Christopher Oba.