The National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, on Monday denied existence of the Institution of Management and Technology, Aba in Abia State.
NBTE stated this during commencement of hearing at the Akwa Ibom State Elections Petition Tribunal in the case of Rt Hon. Eseme Eyiboh and Hon Okpolupm Etteh.
Recall that Eyiboh approached the Tribunal that Etteh presented forged certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), thus making him unqualified to have contested the election for Eket Federal Constituency seat.
Mr Eyiboh’s petition is premised on the single ground of eligibility, having abandoned the second ground of the petitioner’s vote reduction, in favour of the 1st respondent.
In the resume hearing, Eyiboh subpoenaed the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, an agency empowered to approve, regulate, accredit and sanction Polytechnics, Monotechnics and related institutions.
The NBTE was represented by its director of legal, Rekiya Shuaibu, Esq who confirmed the non existence of the school that issued Etteh the diploma certificate.
Meanwhile, Gyang Dung Esq who represented the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, also tendered the disputed certificates that were submitted by Etteh to INEC.
The testimonies set the stage for Rt Hon. Eseme Eyiboh who entered the witness box to adopt his witnesses’ statement on oath and reply to Etteh’s response.
Hon Ette’s counsel, Ekpenyong Ntekim SAN met a resilience and sharp witness in Eyiboh.
In the face of barrage of questions from INEC and PDP lawyers, Eyiboh remained resolute, consistent and vehement.
The case is adjourned to Wednesday, May 17 by 12noon for Etteh to open his defense.
©Joseph Atainyang