Princes Muse Adegboyega Oluwa (56) and Abayomi Shamsideen Oluwa (62), had in the statements admitted being co-authors of a controversial public notice bearing the smuggled stamp of the Lagos High Court and the signature of its principal registrar. The princes alongside Ismaila Oluwa (67) and Tajudeen Oluwa (58) were alleged to have in March 2013 conspired to forge the official stamp and signature and smuggled them into a public notice. They were also alleged to have in November 2013 at Nwokolo Street in Apapa threatened Chief Mukaila Lawal Oluwa, the Oluwa of Lagos and Apapa, with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons. Led by the defence counsel, Ismaila Adebowale at the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the princes, who had earlier told Chief Magistrate A.A. Adesanya that they were present when Justice Harrison of the Lagos High Court gave the ruling that led to the public notice, recanted. They said that they had no knowledge of the notice nor the publication in The Punch. Asked by the magistrate whether he was not lying since his evidence and statement do not tally, Prince Adegboyega said: “No my lord. I have something to say. I was rushed to write this statement.” The princes said they were rushed into writing their statements. Prosecuting Inspector George Nwosu objected to how Prince Adegboyega’s counsel was questioning him. Nwosu said the witness had opportunity to deny the statement but he did not, stressing that he cannot turn round to state the contrary after the court had admitted it as exhibit. But the defence counsel insisted that there is a distinction between when the admissibility of a statement is being objected to and when it is being tendered. The court overruled him, saying the statement, having been tendered cannot now be reversed after being admitted as exhibit. Chief Magistrate Adesanya adjourned the matter till May 11.]]>