The trial of an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Bob Chidozie and three others on a 7-count charge bordering on alleged forgery of title documents has been shifted to February 22, 2024 by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Abuja.
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The development followed the absence of the trial judge, Justice Samira Umar Bature who was said to be bereaved.
The prosecution had specifically told the court that the defendants who were docked by the police authorities before the court allegedly forged title documents including the Power of Attorney with fraudulent intention of converting the property belonging to Nexume Nigeria Limited.
Others arraigned alongside the lawyer in the charge marked No: FCT/HC/CR/302/2023 and filed by the Commissioner of Police (COP) are Samuel Udoh-Imeh, Ifeanyi Abaekwueme and a private firm, Earth Conscience Limited.
While Bob Chidozie who also doubles as Managing Director of Earth Conscience Limited, was a former Commissioner for Works in Abia State, Samuel Udoh-Imeh works in the Information Technology and Services Sector is also an Abuja-based businessman.
On his part, Ifeanyi Abaekwueme who is a Town Planner by profession, is a career civil servant with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of the Federal Capital Development Authority(FCDA) and owner and founding director of Earth Conscience Limited.
During their arraignment in court, the prosecution counsel, Adama Musa told the court that the alleged offences are punishable under section 97 (1); 362 (a) of the Penal Code Law.
However, all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and were admitted to bail by Justice Samirah Umar Bature of the Maitama division of the court in the sum of N20m each and two sureties in the likesum.
The sureties the court noted, must be a grade level 15 or above officer in the Federal civil service and must be a resident in the FCT with a valid means of identification.
Justice Bature added that the sureties must equally undertake to always produce the defendants in court and not to obstruct the cause of Justice.
In granting their separate bail applications moved by their lawyers, Justice Bature held that in view of the fact that the sole purpose of bail is to secure the attendance of the defendants in court, and considering the fact that the prosecution counsel did not opposed the bail applications, “bail is hereby granted to the defendants in the sum of N20m each and two sureties in the likesum.”
Meanwhile, before the charges were read to them for their plea to be taken, the 3rd defendant (Bob Chidozie) moved an application challenging the competence of the charge against him.
Justice Bature has however deferred ruling on the application till the next adjourned date fixed for November 30, 2023.
Tuesday’s proceedings were watched by A.T. Kohol, a senior lawyer on behalf of the nominal complainant.
The defendants who were charged with conspiracy, forgery and dishonesty were alleged to have sometimes between the month of January 2015 and December 2022 at the FCT, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court conspire amongst themselves to commit an offence to wit: forgery and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 97(1) of the Penal Code Law.
They were charged in count two for committing forgery with intent to convert the property of Nexume Nigeria Ltd, by fraudulently signing the signature of Mr Olusegun Sanni, on a document titled: Memorandum of Understanding with respect to plot No: 54 DO6 situate at Karsana West, FCT, Abuja, with intention of causing it to be believed that he signed the document when they knew same was false.
That the defendants committed an offence to convert the property of Nexume Nigeria Ltd by forging the signature of Mr Olusegun Sanni on the document titled: Irrevocable Power of Attorney with respect to the said property, with the intention of causing it to be believed that he signed the document when they knew same was false.
The prosecution further accused the defendants of forging the signature of Olusegun Sanni on a document titled:” Board of Resolution of Nexume Ltd adopted on February 20th 2015, appointing Messers Earth Conscience Ltd as its lawful Attorney with the intention of causing it to be believed that he signed the document when they knew same to be false.
That they committed an offence of forgery by dishonestly issuing an Eco Bank cheque with No: 75651801 in the sum of N500m on behalf of Nexume Ltd and in favour of Conscience Ltd, so as to cause Nexume Ltd loss of property.
The alleged offences are contrary to sections 362 (a) and punishable under section.
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