The Nation Newspaper

Tag: forgery

  • Ex-director denies forgery allegation

    A former director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Eunice Oddiri (nee Esiso) has debunked media reports that she was involved in an alleged registration and forgery scandal over her late father’s estate.

    She said contrary to the reports, she was duly appointed by her mother as a director in the companies, including Gateway Estates Limited and Oil Field Transport Services Limited.

    According to her, the companies had her late father Mr E. A. Esiso and mother Chief Iketiti Esiso as founding directors. Following her father’s death, she said her mother appointed her and three of her siblings as directors.

    Mrs Oddiri said she could not have forged any of the documents regarding registration of the companies’ directors as insinuated in the reports.

    She said her father, in a personal statement to the police and his banker while alive, also affirmed that he duly donated his Power of Attorney to her.

    The police, she said, had in 2008 investigated an allegation that she forged the Power of Attorney and issued a report, signed by the Inspector-General of Police on October 20, 2008, clearing her of allegations of forgery.

    She said her elder brother, who allegedly petitioned the police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) again this year on the same issue on which she was cleared six years ago, had also filed a suit at the High Court in Isiokpolo, Delta State, to challenge the validity of the Power of Attorney, but did not wait for the court to determine his suit before writing another petition.

    Oddiri, through her lawyer, Mr Nelson Ogbuanya of Novena Partners, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Warri, challenging her brother’s handling of her late father’s estate using a letter of administration purported obtained in a court.

    The reports, according to Oddiri, also claimed she and her other brother would be arrested and arraigned at a Magistrate’s Court in Warri for alleged forgery.

    “We’re apprehensive about our safety. We believe it is my elder brother who is misleading the police. My father did not put his name as a shareholder in any of the companies. The article was designed to embarrass and destroy my reputation,” Oddiri said.

  • Man arraigned for ‘forgery’

    A 32-year-old man, Ojewole Oyewale, who allegedly forged a Magistrate’s judgment  and presented himself as a Sheriff has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court.

    Oyewole was arraigned before  Magistrate (Mrs.) Abimbola Komolafe.

    The defendant and seven others at large, are facing a seven- count-charge of conspiracy, burglary, stealing, forgery, impersonation and unlawful damage.

    Police prosecutor, Eranus Nnamonu, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP) told the court that Oyewale forged the judgment of Magistrate Court 42 in Lagos and purported it to have been  delivered by Mr. O. A. Adesupo on November 13, 2013.

    Nnamonu  further told the court that the defendant broke and forcefully entered into Mrs.  Yetunde Aderemi’s house and stole gold jewelry valued N5milliion and N650,000 cash belonging to the victim.

    The prosecutor said the defendant and five others, at large, with intent to defraud the victim, impersonated and acted as Sheriffs of the Ikeja High Court.

    According to him,  the defendant was allegedly paid by Qudus Gbolahan-Folami, who is said to be the landlord of 23, Muri Folami Street in Ogudu Ojota area of Lagos, to act as the  Sheriff.

    He said the defendant maliciously damaged one refrigerator, valued N250,000, television set valued N220,000, a dinning set and sitting room settee, valued at N500,000.

    Other items destroyed included kitchen utensils valued at N420,000, lace materials (clothes) worth N300,000, all belonging to the victim.

    He said the defendant and seven others conspired to commit the offences on March 12, at 23, Muri Folami Street in Ogudu Ojota area.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences  contravened Sections 409, 305 (b), 285 (1) and is punishable under Section 363 (w), 378 (1) and 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.  Magistrate Komolafe  granted him N1million bail with two sureties in like sum.

    She ordered that a sum of N50,000  be deposited, in the account of the court registrar by the defendant.

  • Shutting the doors against forgery

    Renowned Nigerian artist, Chief Muraina Oyelami has urged collectors of his art works to reach him for certificate of authentication as many artists now copy one another for financial gains.

    Oyelami spoke at the opening ceremony of an art exhibition marking the 10th anniversary of Bogobiri House in Ikoyi, Lagos. He said the appreciation of the uniqueness of his art works always come from the viewers and not the maker. “An artist needs to pay his dues. I have been in the arts for 50 years. It’s a continuous practice. Let every sincere artist enjoy what he is doing even if people are not paying attention in the first place. But later, the artist will gain identity and becomes more popular,” he said.

    Oyelami said originality is very vital while practising the art, noting that even though an artist can be inspired by other artists, ‘’it is not a reason to copy.’’

    “I am an oil painter. So, I need more colours and that is why I stick to oil,” he added.

    His art works deal with people’s mood and the natural architectural way Nigerians put up their structures, which according to him is now being destroyed by civilisation. “In the past, one finds a piece of land and erects something suitable on the land like a mud house without thinking of town planning and government policies. All these did not exist then. But, one thing is certain that no culture is static,” he said. Oyelami started art in his youth days after attending workshops in Nigeria and abroad in the 1950s.

  • ‘Doctor’ in court for alleged certificate forgery

    A  doctor, employed by Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Ogbor Hill in Aba, Abia State, Peter Ifeanyichukwu, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Osisioma Local Government Area.

    He is on trial for alleged impersonation and illegal possession of a fake MBBS certificate.

    Police prosecutor Victor Mbama said the offences are punishable under Section 467 and 484 of the Criminal Code Act.

    He said the suspect should be remanded in custody because he could jump bail.

    The magistrate, however, ordered that Ifeanyichukwu be remanded in the Aba Federal Prison till Friday.

    It was gathered that the accused worked at Living Word Hospital.

    Sources said he had featured on the Nigerian Television Authority Channel 6, Aba, where he spoke on the dangers of smoking.

    They also said Ifeanyichukwu claimed that he was a student of the School of Health, Aba and worked in various clinics and hospitals.

    Another source alleged that the management of Living Word Hospital terminated his appointment after complications arose in a case he handled.

    Narrating how the suspect was arrested, the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Aba zone, Dr. U.N Onwuchekwa, said: “He was arrested after Dr. Anaele Agu alerted the NMA at a conference, for doctors in Aba, where he (Ifeanyichukwu) introduced himself as a doctor and a representative of the chief medical director of Seventh Day Adventist Hospital.

    “Initially, he told us he was a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT). We also asked him some other questions which he couldn’t answer.

    “It was at that time that we had to invite the police. When the police interrogated him further, he admitted he was a fake doctor.

    “Upon his confessional statement, a house search was conducted. During the search, a blank MBBS certificate bearing the logo of the University of Port Harcourt’s Medical School was found in his house.”

    When our reporter visited Living Word Hospital, a source said Ifeanyichukwu was never employed there.

    He said: “Ifeanyichukwu did not stay up to a week in our hospital. He presented an affidavit in which he claimed that he lost his results and other documents after he finished his youth service.

    “After the oral interview, the panel gave him one week to bring his practising licence which is renewable every year and until now, he has not come back.

    “Our policy in this hospital is that before any doctor is employed, he must present all the documents.”

     

  • Akume denies certificate forgery allegation

    Akume denies certificate forgery allegation

    Former Benue State Governor George Akume yesterday disproved the claim that he forged his educational certificates.

    The former governor tendered copies of his original certificates, which were attached to his statement of defence, filed in a suit filed by Philip Agbese, who is accusing Akume of forging his certificates and being unqualified to stand for an election.

    Some of the certificates include West African Examination Council (WAEC) School Certificate (December 1971); the National Service, issued by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1979; Bachelor of Science (in Sociology 1978) and Master’s degree (Industrial and Labour Relations, 1987) issued to him by the University of Ibadan (UI).

    Also tendered were copies of a letter of confirmation from the NYSC (dated May 2, 2013) and a statement of result from WAEC (dated June 10, 2013).

    Akume, in his statement on oath, denied forging any certificate. He described the suit by Agbese as a measure to harass and intimidate him.

    The Senate Minority Leader said he lost the original copies of the certificates when he was packing from his home into the Government House in Makurdi following his election as governor in 1999.

    The two-time governor said he reported the loss of the documents to the police, who advised him to swear to an affidavit.

    Akume also tendered a copy of the affidavit, dated September 23, 2010, endorsed by the Commissioner of Oath, High Court of Justice, Benue State.

    He averred that the issuing agencies refused to issue him with fresh certificates on the grounds that such academic certificates were only issued once.

    Akume, who is representing Benue North West, said he was issued the certificates having attended Government Secondary School, Otukpo, Benue State (1967-1971), University of Ibadan. (For his first and second degrees) and the NYSC in 1979 (after his service at the Advanced Teachers College, Akwanga, Plateau State).

     

  • Abia lawmaker arraigned for ‘forgery, perjury’

    A member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Ikedi Ezekwesiri, has appeared before an Umuahia Magistrate’s Court for alleged perjury.

    Ezekwesiri, who represents Umunneochi Constituency, was arraigned yesterday on a five-count charge of impersonation, forgery and false information.

    The lawmaker was alleged to have on January 31, 2011, in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Form C.F 001 preparatory for election into the state assembly, falsely declared himself to be a legal practitioner.

    The offence, according to the prosecution, is punishable under the Criminal Code Cap 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    He was alleged to have fraudulently presented to INEC and the police during investigation, a B. Sc in Law certificate bearing Eze Ikedichi awarded by the Abia State University.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

    The defence counsel, Okey Amechi (SAN), who appeared with 10 other lawyers, applied for the bail of the accused on self-recognition as a lawmaker.

    “This is a political issue and he will not jump bail, which is the major reason for granting bail,” Amechi said.

    The prosecution counsel, Sampson Onyemuche, who appeared with Godwin Ijioma, said the prosecution was not objecting to the bail application.

    “However, our objection will be on granting the accused bail on self-recognition. This is a criminal trial and we expect him to be given bail with a reasonable sum and surety,’’ he said.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Kalu, granted the accused bail on self-recognition and adjourned the case till July 17 for further hearing.

  • Man docked for visa forgery

    A 38-year-old man, Onyekachi Onkwocha, was on Friday charged before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, with forgery and obtaining N1.3 million under false pretext.

    The accused, who resides at No. 68b, Sanya St., Aguda, is facing a five count-charge of obtaining money under false pretext and forgery.

    Onkwocha pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

    The Prosecutor, Cpl. Adenike Abudu, told the court that the offences were committed on May 10, 2012 at his residence.

    She said Onkwocha and one other person still at large, conspired to obtain N1.3 million from one Chinedu Anachinma, under the guise of procuring visa and residence permits to enable him enter and reside in Dubai and China.

    “The defendant, on May 10, 2012, met with the complainant at his residence and promised to link him up with a friend, who was in the business.

    “On Aug. 13, Anachinma was presented with forged visa and residence permit to China and Dubai, with intent that it will be acted upon as genuine,” the prosecutor said.

    Abudu said the offences contravened sections 278, 285, 312, 313 and 409 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, which states that ”anyone found guilty of obtaining by false pretext with intent to defraud, is liable to 15 years imprisonment.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Bola Folarin-William, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case to May 23 for trial.

  • Court remands three in custody for ‘forgery’

    An Igbosere High Court, Lagos, has remanded three men in custody for alleged forgery of medical report purportedly issued by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

    The defendants are Jonathan Udeagbala, 48; Emmanuel Inyang, 33 and Dr. Ayantola Isaac, 44.

    While Udeagbala was remanded in prison custody, Inyang and Isaac were left with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who instituted a six-count charge against the trio.

    Udeagbala, the first defendant, was alleged to have paid the second and third defendants N20, 000, to produce a fake doctor’s report, which was presented before Justice D.O. Oluwayemi, as the reason he jumped bail in N140 million suit brought against him by the EFCC.

    Sometime last year, the EFCC arrested and arraigned Udeagbala for allegedly obtaining N140 million from Leo Eze and Francis Nwagbale, under the guise that he has a valid dealership with one of the telecommunication service providers.

    According to EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Udeagbala conspired with the others to obstruct the course of justice by procuring a false document titled “to whom it may concern medical report Re: Jonathan Udeagbala Ref no; LUTH 436\VOL2\44” dated December 4, 2012.

    He said: “On or about December 3, 2012, Udeagbala attempted to obstruct the course of justice in charge LCD\129\2012, between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Jonathan Udeagbala and 1 other, by paying N20, 000 to procure a false medical report.

    “They went further to present the false medical report purporting same to have been issued by LUTH.

    “The trio, with intent to defraud, knowingly and fraudulently forged the said document and fraudulently used same before Justice Oluwayemi by presenting the said document through Udeagbala’s counsel, U. C. Ikegbule.”

    The alleged offence, Rotimi said contravened Sections 364, 363, 409 and 97(3) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

    The three defendants, who were represented by three lawyers, pleaded not guilty to the six count charges against them.

    Counsel to Udeagbala, G.E. Ojiekhude, made an oral application for bail of his client, which was objected by the EFCC.

    Ojiekhude, in his submission, urged the court to allow his client go home since he was enjoying bail from the substantive suit, adding “the offence for which he is being arraigned is not a capital one.”

    He also prayed for an adjournment to allow him go through the proof of evidence. Making reference to Section 36 of the Administration of Criminal Justice System, the lawyer noted that he was not given enough time to study the proof of evidence.

    Inyang’s lawyer, G.J. Daniel, also applied for the bail of his client but their applications were objected by Rotimi, who notified the court that evidence against the defendants were overwhelming.

    In her ruling, Oluwayemi, ordered that the first defendant be remanded in prison custody, while the second and third defendants be kept in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter to April 25.

  • Five dismissed for forgery

    In its bid to ensure academic discipline, the Governing Council of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has formally announced the dismissal of five academic staff and the demotion of 10 others.

    A statement issued by the Secretary to Council and Registrar of the institution, Dr Julia Omang, stated that four of the dismissed staff were involved in plagiarism, while one was a case of financial misappropriation.

    The demoted staff allegedly published their works in fake journals and proceeded to submit same to get promotion.

    The staff dismissed for plagiarism are Dr Azubuike Iloeje and Dr Maurice Bisong of the department of English and Literary Studies, Mr Oden Ubi, department of Marketing and Dr Paulinus Noah, department of Linguistics and Communication Studies. Dr Damian Agom was sacked for salary overpayment, which enriched him to the tune of N7,268,044.95 over a period of 11 months.

    The 10 academic staff demoted included Dr Asuquo Akabom, Dr Sunday Effiong and Dr C. O. Udoka, all of Accounting department, Prof Molinta Enendu, department of Theatre and Media Studies and Dr E.S. Akpan of Banking and Finance, Dr A.I. Afangideh and Dr Francis Okpiliya of the Department of Geography and Environment Science and Dr K.B.C Ashipu of the Department of English and Literary Studies.

    Besides their demotion, they are to refund all monies earned from their unmerited promotion and are barred from promotion for the next six years.

     

  • EFCC arraigns Atuche, two others for alleged forgery

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned the former Managing Director of Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank), Francis Atuche, for alleged forgery before a Lagos High Court in Ikeja

    Arraigned with him were two officials of the bank, Joachim Nnosiri and Uguru Onyike, who are attached to the Central Shared Services Centre of Keystone Bank Ltd.

    They were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo on a nine-count charge of forgery, conspiracy and the use of forged board resolutions belonging to Futureview Securities Limited, Tradjeck Limited and Extra Oil Limited into Keystone Bank (formerly Bank PHB).

    The commission claimed that the board resolutions were allegedly signed by the Managing Director of the companies, Mrs Elizabeth Ebi and addressed to Keystone Bank.

    It said the purpose of the board resolutions was to request a N10.9 billion credit facility from the bank.

    The EFCC said the alleged offence, which was committed on March 4, contravened sections 361 and 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

    When the case was called, EFCC’s counsel Ben Ubi told the court that the commission filed a nine-count charge of forgery.

    He urged the court to allow the charges to be read to the defendants so they can make their pleas.

    Atuche and the two others pleaded not guilty.

    Ubi asked for a trial date and a court order remanding the defendants in custody.

    But Atuche’s counsel Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) told the court of a pending bail application on behalf of his client dated March 25.

    He said it has been served on the agency.

    Ubi objected to the request, saying he has “not seen the bail summons.

    “But I acknowledge that the person, who received the application, is a litigation clerk in the office.”

    This made Oyetibo to request that his client be allowed to go home as it appeared that the prosecution is not ready to argue the bail application.

    He submitted that the matter before Justice Onigbanjo is an off-shoot of the case before another judge, Justice Lateefa Okunnu, adding that his client came to court from his house.

    But Ubi countered the defence and stated that he was not aware that the charge is an offshoot of the matter before another judge.

    “I can confirm to the court that the defendant did not come from home as earlier stated by the SAN.

    “All the defendants were brought to court by the EFCC.”

    Justice Onigbanjo fixed the bail hearing for today and issued a caveat that the former bank chief should go home after the proceedings.

    He noted that Atuche had never been absent from court for his other cases.

    Justice Onigbanjo also fixed today for the bail hearing for the second and third defendant, following the submission of the prosecution that he would need time to respond to the bail applications submitted by their counsel, Clement Onwenwnor and Bamidele Adewunmi.

    The judge also allowed the two defendants to go home, pending hearing of their bail application on the strength of the administrative bail earlier granted them by the EFCC.

    Justice Onigbanjo granted Oyetibo’s prayer for accelerated hearing and fixed October 10 for trial.

    The forgery charge against Atuche is the fourth in the series of charges brought against him by the EFCC since his removal as Bank PHB’s Chief Executive Officer.

    The new arraignment came after the prosecution concluded its case in the charge before Justice Lateefa Okunnu and the defence had indicated its intention to file a ‘no-case submission’ against the charge.