B/CD/ICPC/3C/2024. Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Mrs Mercy Sheidun . Federal high Court 1
The investigating officer gave evidence on this day. Said she has been on waec list for people who have confessed to impersonation in their examination.she provided the forged waec certificate she is being prosecuted for.she has different waec certificates with 3 different pictures and different serial numbers not from waec.
Adjourned to November 7th 2024.
In a high-profile legal battle capturing national attention, Nigerian lawyer Mercy Sheidun stands accused of falsifying her West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results—a case brought to light by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Allegations against Sheidun include presenting multiple forged WAEC certificates bearing different serial numbers, photographs, and identifying information inconsistent with WAEC’s official records.
The Case Against Sheidun
The ICPC’s investigating officer presented evidence in court, confirming that Sheidun’s name has appeared on WAEC’s list of individuals who have allegedly confessed to impersonation or forgery in their examinations. This list comprises individuals flagged by WAEC over suspicions of fraud or other irregularities associated with their results. According to the investigating officer, Sheidun had previously submitted her purported WAEC certificate in official documents, only for it to be flagged as a potential forgery upon examination. Notably, the officer pointed to multiple certificates, each with distinct serial numbers and photographs, none of which corresponded with WAEC’s verified records.
Historical Allegations of Forgery
This isn’t the first time Mercy Sheidun has faced forgery-related allegations. She was previously accused of falsifying the will of her late husband, Engineer Kolawole Sheidun. The case regarding the authenticity of the will is ongoing, with numerous claims and counterclaims, as Sheidun continues to assert the document’s legitimacy while opposing parties challenge its validity.
These accusations paint a complex portrait of Sheidun’s legal career, particularly in light of her duty as a lawyer to uphold integrity in both personal and professional dealings.
Implications and Legal Ramifications
If convicted, Sheidun could face severe consequences, not only legally but professionally. Under Nigerian law, forgery is a criminal offense carrying significant penalties, including imprisonment. Additionally, a guilty verdict would impact her standing as a member of the legal profession, likely leading to disbarment and prohibiting her from practicing law.
The ICPC’s case underscores the importance of transparency and integrity within the Nigerian legal and educational systems. This trial, now a major public concern, serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to combat forgery and academic dishonesty in Nigeria.
A Widening Investigation?
As the court continues to review the evidence, further examination of the case could bring other aspects of Sheidun’s career and certifications into scrutiny. The multiple WAEC certificates, discrepancies in identity documentation, and ongoing will forgery case have cast a cloud over her professional reputation, and, by extension, have highlighted larger issues in document verification processes.
The Nigerian public awaits further developments as Mercy Sheidun’s case unfolds. The trial serves as a potent reminder of the consequences of forgery and raises pressing questions about accountability, integrity, and justice within Nigeria’s legal framework.
Previously
Barrister Mercy Sheidun Forgery Case of Late Husband Will Back in the News ! Accused of Forging Her Law School Certificate
Barrister Dame Mrs mercy Elizabeth Onome Shiedun is currently facing charges of forging her husbands will,is again recently been investigated by the CID Department of edo state police command for identity theft,impersonation,forgery and using the certificate of one Elizabeth Onome to gain admission into the University of Benin Scond Class Upper and Nigerian law school where she fraudulently obtained an LL.B and call to bar certificate.
If she is charged to court and found guilty she could spend a minimum of 7 years in prison.
Previously
Mercy Sheidun – Managing Director – Mershrock global limited …
Her Linkedin in Page
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercy-sheidun-40b66774/
Experience
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Company NameMershrock global limited
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TitleManaging Director
Self-employed
Dates EmployedSep 2019 – Present
Employment Duration11 mos
LocationBenin city
Original laces, Swiss Voile, Brocade, shoes, bags and Juwelry for both men and women.
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Education
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University of Benin
Degree NameLLB/BL
Field Of StudyLaw
Gradesecond class upper
Dates attended or expected graduation –
Activities and Societies: Business
Other Links
previously since 2013
The Police in Benin City, capital of Nigeria’s Edo state, have arraigned 46-year-old lawyer-wife of a millionaire, her lawyer and another over alleged forgery of Will.
The accused, Mrs. Mercy Sheidun, Barr. Samuel Urhoghide and one Jonah Sojah, were arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and forgery.
The three accused pleaded not guilty of the alleged offence.
Sheidun was the pioneer Managing Director of Okpella Cement Factory in the defunct Bendel State.
It was gathered that Mrs. Sheidun’s step-children from the his First wife suspected foul play in the contents of the will, which bequeathed Most assets to her.
The children were said to have subjected the alleged Will to forensic test twice at the police forensic science Laboratory, D Department, Force CID Ikoyi, Lagos, where it was found to have been forged.
An excerpt from the forensic report reads: “It is my opinion that the questioned signature in the relevant column of the document (testaments) marked Exhibit A5 is not the same with the standard signatures on documents Exhibit B-D (signed documents by Sir Sheidun).
According to the charge sheet MOR/389/2013, , the accused persons on August 22 1997 at 3 Isibor street off Murttala Mohammed Way in Benin city allegedly conspired among themselves to commit felony.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Osaretin Ogiehor, told the Court that the accused persons “did forge a testament instrument to wit; a will purported to have been made by late Sir Kola Sheidun, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 465″ of the criminal code.
He said the alleged offences were punishable under section 516, Cap 48, Vol.11 and section 467(2) of the criminal Code Cap 48. Vol.11 Laws of the Defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976, as applicable in Edo State .
The trial Magistrate, Mr. Peter Asemota, granted Mrs. Sheidun and Urhoghide bail on self recognition as lawyers, while the third accused, Sojah, was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with a surety in the like sum and who must be a house owner within the Oredo magisterial district.
He adjourned the case to 23 September for hearing.
