Former House Of Reps Member Rita Odichi Orijifor Arrested Over Alleged WAEC Certificate Forgery

Rita Orji, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency from 2015 to 2019, has been arrested in connection with allegations of using a forged WAEC certificate during her tenure. Orji was apprehended at her residence after initially refusing to cooperate with police investigations.

The arrest follows a petition filed before the 2023 general elections, which accused Orji of presenting a fraudulent certificate to secure her position. Despite her attempts to block the investigation by seeking legal recourse, an Abuja High Court ruled against her, affirming the police’s constitutional authority to investigate such claims and ordering her to comply with their inquiries.

Before her arrest, Orji was reportedly hiding in Akure to avoid capture, but returned to Abuja thinking the situation had calmed. Unbeknownst to her, the police were awaiting her return.

A recent ruling from a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) judge dismissed her application to halt the investigation, stating that she failed to provide evidence of any rights violations by the police. Orji is currently being detained at the Force Headquarters.

Further updates will follow as the investigation progresses.