…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media. The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has refuted claims that he renounced his Nigerian citizenship.
Last week, an immigration lawyer in the United States, Olubusayo Fasidi, testified at the Lagos Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, alleging that Hamzat took an oath of allegiance in the US to renounce his Nigerian citizenship.
Deputy Governor Dismisses Reports as Inaccurate
In a statement released by the deputy governor’s media office, Hamzat clarified that the reports circulating are not an accurate representation of the tribunal proceedings.
The statement revealed that the witness presented two blank documents downloaded from the website of the US Embassy as evidence.
However, the witness failed to produce the actual documents or provide specific details regarding the alleged oath of allegiance.
Public Urged to Disregard Falsehood and Questionable Testimony
Hamzat urged the public to disregard the deliberate falsehood surrounding the claims made by the witness.
The statement emphasized that the witness’s testimony is being seriously challenged.
The cross-examination revealed inconsistencies, including the admission that the witness did not attend the ceremony admitting Hamzat as a US citizen.
It also highlighted the witness’s acknowledgment of the dual citizenship recognized by the American constitution.
Witness Testimony Faces Scrutiny
During the tribunal proceedings, the witness admitted that the documents she presented only supported the process of application for naturalization, which leads to the issuance of an American passport.
Furthermore, the witness confirmed that she entered Nigeria using her Nigerian passport and did not require a Nigerian visiting visa.
It was also revealed that Hamzat fully disclosed the details of his American citizenship in the Form EC9 submitted to INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission).
Tribunal to Determine Witness Testimony’s Admissibility
The testimony of the witness is currently under serious challenge, and the tribunal will ultimately decide whether it is admissible.
One point of contention is the witness’s failure to file a witness statement on oath.
Additionally, her continued use of a Nigerian passport while claiming to have renounced Nigerian citizenship raised questions about the veracity of her claims.