Serving senator remanded in prison for NYSC certificate forgery

A serving Senator from Bayelsa Central, Benson Konbowei, has been remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre by a High Court in Apo, Abuja, for allegedly forging his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate.

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The arraignment took place before Justice Christopher Oba on March 26, 2024, where the Senator faced charges of fraudulently creating a document titled ‘Certificate of Exemption’ bearing number 000256454 and dated July 4, 2008.

The Inspector General of Police accused Konbowei of violating Sections 366, 156, and 158 of the Penal Code Act CAP 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, making him subject to punishment under Section 364 of the same Act. Despite the charges, the Senator pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.

Following his plea, the court granted Konbowei temporary release and scheduled the hearing for his bail application on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Subsequently, after considering arguments from both sides, the court set his bail at N50m with two sureties who must possess landed properties with Certificates of Occupancy in the Federal Capital Territory.

Despite the bail conditions, Justice Oba ordered that the Senator be detained in the Kuje Correctional Centre until his bail requirements were met.

The case was adjourned for further hearings on June 24, 25, and 27, 2024, indicating a prolonged legal process ahead for Senator Benson Konbowei.