Court sentences Rep member to prison for perjury

A Magistrate Court in Wuse, Zone 6, Abuja, has sentenced a member of the House of Representatives, Victor Mela, to one month imprisonment.

The lawmaker, who represents Billiri/Balanga federal constituency of Gombe State was, however, given an option of fine, according to a report by PREMIUM TIMES.

The online newspaper had reported on November 10 that a magistrate court found the lawmaker guilty of lying under oath while filling the CD001 INEC form prior to the 2019 elections.

The magistrate had, however, set a different date for sentencing of the lawmaker after his lawyer pleaded for leniency.

Mr Mela swore to an affidavit thrice, denying citizenship of another country whereas he has a Canadian passport.

His conviction followed his prosecution by the police in Abuja.

The lawmaker had, after the November 10 judgment by the magistrate, said he would appeal the decision.

He tweeted, “I would like to call on our friends, supporters and our sympathisers to remain calm as well as rest assured that I will challenge today’s perverse decision at the appellate court, immediately·”

It is unclear, Friday, if Mr Mela, has appealed the judgment. Calls to his known telephone number failed to connect.

Born 1973, Mr Mela earned a degree in geology from the University of Jos in 1999 and a masters in sedimentology and petroleum geology from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in 2006.

He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2019 and is vice-chairman of the solid minerals committee.

Wikipedia in its biography of the legislator further said: “he was an active member and Executive of The Nigerian-Canadian Association of Saskatchewan (NCAs) since its inception in 2016.

“He contested under All Progressives Congress party in February 2019 and polled 45,112 votes to defeat a serving member, Ali Isa JC, who scored 35,395 at the National assembly elections.”