Elizabeth O.
The governor’s demand comes in response to a petition filed by Hassan with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Police Service Commission (PSC), accusing the governor of certificate forgery.
In the letter dated April 8, 2024, and addressed to Hassan through his counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), Governor Aiyedatiwa also requested the withdrawal of what he referred to as false and malicious publications concerning his West African School Certificate Examination (WAEC) result.
Governor Aiyedatiwa vigorously denied the allegations of certificate forgery and warned that if Hassan failed to comply with the demands within seven days of receiving the letter, he would pursue legal action against him.
Hassan’s petition to the IGP and the Police Service Commission also alleged that a high-ranking officer attempted to manipulate the report of a probe into the governor’s academic credentials.
According to a report purportedly signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Tahir Usman of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, the police investigation into Aiyedatiwa’s WAEC certificate concluded that there was no evidence to support the claim that the governor attended Ikoyi High School in Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos.
However, the police, in a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Friday, stated that the document titled “RE: Case of Alleged Fraudulent Misrepresentation, Certificate Forgery, Examination Malpractice and Perjury” did not originate from the police force.
Hassan, in his petition dated April 5, 2024, maintained that his initial petition led to the probe and insisted that the report was genuine. He claimed to have obtained a copy of the report through a Freedom of Information request.
In his letter to Hassan, Governor Aiyedatiwa provided details of his examination center and result scores, refuting the allegations against him.
The governor’s letter highlighted the false and damaging nature of the publications made by Hassan, which had caused public ridicule and tarnished his reputation without any justification.
Governor Aiyedatiwa demanded a public apology to be published in at least three widely circulated newspapers in Nigeria. He also requested the unconditional withdrawal of all false and malicious publications related to his WAEC results, as well as the withdrawal of Hassan’s letters to the Nigeria Police Force, the All Progressives Congress, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Furthermore, the governor sought adequate compensation for the harm caused by the libelous publications and demanded that Hassan cease and desist from creating, publishing, or circulating any further false and defamatory materials about him.
The letter concluded by warning Hassan that if he failed to comply with the demands within seven days, the governor would pursue legal recourse without further notice.
