Sen. Cleopas ask court to disqualify Konbowei Benson as Bayelsa Central PDP Senatorial Candidate …Says, the Ex-SSG Lied on oath

The legal battle between the current occupier of the Bayelsa Central Senatorial seat, Sen. Moses Cleopas and the former SSG to the Bayelsa state govt, Rt. Hon. Friday Kombowei Benson takes a new twist on Monday at the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.

On Monday 18th of July, 2022 – the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa gave an order for substituted service by hanging the Court processes at the gate of Rt. Hon. Friday Kombowei Benson’s residence in Yenagoa.

The second court order on Monday became necessary as counsel to Rt. Hon. Friday Kombowei Benson raised objection of “proper service” on his client stating that the said process was only given to a domestic staff, and for the interest of justice and fairness, the Court gave another order for substituted service via substituted means by hanging the court processes on the gate of the former SSG’s private residence in Yenagoa.

The court also ordered that the bailiff should show prove of service by hanging it on the gate, snapping and printing which was done immediately in line with the court order.

NAIJA LIVE TV gathered that, the suit challenging Rt. Hon Friday Kombowei Benson eligibility for the Bayelsa Central senatorial election was filed by the incumbent Senator Moses Cleopas through originating summons on section 29 (5) of the Electoral Act, 2022 as amended.

Sen. Cleopas is asking the court to disqualify the former SSG, Kombowei Benson on four grounds as follows;

1. First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) Forgery/given false information in the PDP Expression of Interest/Nomination Form.
2. NYSC Exemption certificate forgery/given false information in the PDP Expression of Interest/Nomination Form.
4. Failure to sign his Expression of Interest form before a commissioner of oath to authenticate the information imputed in the PDP Expression of Interest form.
6. Lied on oath that he has not been tried in any competent Court of law.

Attempt by the defence counsel to take a long adjournment was overruled by the court and 3rd of August, 2022 has been set aside by the court for definite hearing.

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