The Local Government Election Petition Tribunal in Adamawa State has dismissed allegations of certificate forgery leveled against Barrister Kasa KD Shallom, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Guyuk Local Government Area. The ruling, delivered on Monday by Justice Kayanso Samuel Lawanson and Justice Abbas Obong, marks the latest chapter in a series of legal challenges against the politician.
The tribunal struck down claims that Barr. Kasa had submitted a forged secondary school certificate belonging to one Shanya Farbina (deceased) to the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) as part of his candidacy for the July 13, 2024, local government election. Justice Kayanso, in his ruling, stated that the allegations “cannot be substantiated” and dismissed the case for lack of merit, describing the petitioner’s claims as baseless.
The petition stemmed from Abel A. Musa, representing the Home Base Association of Guyuk LGA, who accused Barr. Kasa of gross criminal misconduct by allegedly forging the certificate. However, the tribunal found no evidence to support these accusations, echoing a similar ruling from last year when a separate petition against Kasa was dismissed.
In that earlier case, Hon. Gandume Gamaliel, the Labour Party chairmanship candidate for Guyuk LGA, had sought to disqualify Barr. Kasa, alleging he submitted a forged West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate with examination number 10502120 to the screening committee. The 3-member tribunal, chaired by Hon. Daniel John, dismissed the petition as “woefully lacking in merit” and awarded N300,000 in favor of the respondents against the petitioners.
Monday’s ruling reaffirmed Barr. Kasa’s eligibility to contest the election, with Justice Kayanso emphasizing that the respondent had not been found guilty of any criminal offense. The decision puts to rest, at least for now, the certificate controversy that has shadowed the PDP candidate’s political ambitions in Guyuk.
Barr. Kasa, a prominent figure in Adamawa’s political landscape, has yet to comment publicly on the ruling. Meanwhile, the dismissal of these petitions strengthens his position as a formidable contender in the local government council race, with supporters hailing the tribunal’s decision as a victory for justice.
The case highlights the contentious nature of local elections in Adamawa, where rivalries often spill into legal battles. As the state moves forward, all eyes remain on Guyuk LGA and the political fortunes of Barr. Kasa KD Shallom.