Court Issues Bench Warrant Against Abuja Lawyer Victor Giwa Over Forgery and Impersonation Charges
Abuja, Nigeria. September 15, 2025
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, today issued a bench warrant against Abuja lawyer Victor Giwa and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola Olugbenga, over their repeated failure to appear for arraignment on charges of forgery and impersonation. Presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, granted the request after the defendants’ absence once again stalled proceedings in the case filed by the Inspector General of Police.
In the charge marked CR/150/25, the police accuse the defendants of conspiring to forge a legal document purportedly from the chambers of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Awa U. Kalu (SAN). The alleged letter, dated June 28, 2024, was addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and requested the suspension of Giwa’s earlier arraignment on another criminal charge. The document, titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023”, allegedly sought to mislead the Attorney General into halting proceedings before Justice Samira Bature of the Maitama High Court.
The police charge sheet accuses the defendants of conspiracy to commit forgery and impersonation under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act, dishonest execution of a fraudulent document under Section 364, and false personation of a legal practitioner under Section 179.
At Monday’s hearing, prosecution counsel Eristo Asaph reminded the court that the defendants had previously secured an adjournment in May, citing family bereavement, but had again failed to appear for arraignment. Counsel for Giwa, Ogbu Aboje, informed the court that his client had submitted a medical report indicating treatment for a degenerative disorder of the lumbar vertebrae and hypertension, while Olugbenga had a medical appointment for her daughter’s immunisation.
Asaph opposed the explanations, arguing that Giwa’s medical report did not suggest he was unfit to attend court, while Olugbenga presented no evidence of her claimed appointment. He urged the court to issue a bench warrant against Abuja lawyer Victor Giwa and Bukola Olugbenga to compel their attendance.
After considering submissions from both sides, Justice Onwuegbuzie ruled that the explanations were insufficient and ordered a bench warrant of arrest against both defendants to ensure their presence at the next sitting. The matter was adjourned to October 8, 2025, for arraignment.
Update – Friday September 19, 2025
Victor Giwa, who was declared wanted earlier this week by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, has been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos.
The court had issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Giwa and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola Olugbenga, following their failure to appear for their scheduled arraignment on charges of forgery and impersonation.
Giwa was reportedly arrested within the premises of the Zone 2 Police Headquarters in Lagos, where a separate case of alleged forgery and fraud related to a property in Surulere, Lagos, involving him and his client, Cecil Osakwe, is being investigated.
Recall that on Monday September 15, 2025, Giwa, through his lawyer Ogbu Abuja, presented a medical report claiming that ill health prevented his appearance in court for arraignment. However, credible sources confirmed that he was in Lagos and was seen moving freely around the disputed property in Surulere, and within the Zone 2, Police Headquarters Lagos, all week.
Giwa’s actions once again demonstrate a blatant disregard for the rule of law and judicial authority.
The Inspector General of Police has filed a three-count charge (Charge No. CR/150/25, accusing Giwa and Olugbenga of conspiring to forge a document purportedly issued from the chambers of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Award U. Kalu, with the intent to mislead the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the second defendant, Ibitade Bukola Olugbenga, who remains at large and is wanted under the same bench warrant.
The case has been adjourned to October 8, 2025, when both defendants are expected to appear before justice Onwuegbuzie to answer to the charges of conspiracy, forgery, fraudulent execution of documents and impersonation of a legal practitioner.
Update: October 8, 2025
Victor Giwa, 1 Other, Arraigned on Conspiracy, Forgery and Impersonation charge
Abuja-based lawyers Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola were on Tuesday arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo Division, over charges of alleged document forgery and impersonation.
The defendants, who are facing a three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy to commit forgery, false personation and fraudulent execution of documents, pleaded not guilty to all the charges
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences were committed on June 28, 2024, when Giwa and Bukola purportedly forged a letter using the official letterhead of Awa U. Kalu (SAN) and addressed it to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
The forged letter titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023” allegedly sought to influence the AGF to stop Giwa’s arraignment scheduled before Justice Samira Bature at the High Court, Maitama.
The matter, presided over by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, was previously stalled on September 15, 2025, prompting the issuance of a bench warrant against Giwa, who was later arrested.
His co-defendant, Bukola, had been at large but was presented before the court today.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Prosecution Counsel Asaph Eristo informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment. The charges were read in open court and Victor Giwa and his co-defendant pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution requested that Giwa be remanded in prison custody, citing the need to prevent interference with investigations.
However, Edwin Anikpenu, SAN, appearing for the defence, applied for bail, stating that both defendants are legal practitioners and argued that the second defendant, Bukola, is a nursing mother.
Anikpenu sought leave of the court to orally amend the existing bail application to include the second defendant.
Justice Onwuegbuzie, visibly displeased, criticised the defence for presenting an oral bail request despite being represented by over a dozen lawyers.
“It is shocking that a lawyer, a Senior Advocate, would come with an oral application and attempt to add another defendant without documentation. With 13 lawyers present, none deemed it fit to file a proper bail application,” the judge remarked.
The court subsequently refused bail for the second defendant and asked she be remanded at the Correctional Facility in Suleja, Niger State.
Regarding Giwa’s bail, Anikpenu urged the court to consider admitting him on self-recognition or to the custody of a reputable executive of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Garki Branch, promising that he would not interfere with the case.
The prosecution opposed the application, citing a counter-affidavit and evidence suggesting Giwa posed a flight risk, noting that public funds were used to effect his arrest.
After hearing both sides, the court granted Victor Giwa bail in the sum of ₦30 million, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be civil servants not below Grade Level 16, resident in Abuja, with verifiable addresses and valid ID cards. They must also submit their international passports to the court. Giwa was remanded to Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 15, 2025 for continuation.
Also in attendance today at the court were A.A. Askira of the Civil Liberty Committee of NBA watching briefs for the defendant and Levi Nwonye for the nominal complainant.
Update: October 15, 2025
Abuja Lawyer Charged with Forging SAN’s Signature admits to ₦30 Million Bail
An Abuja-based lawyer, Ibitade Bukola Olugbenga along with her co-defendant Victor Giwa facing charges of document forgery and impersonation of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) , Awa Kalu, has been granted bail in the sum of ₦30 million by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama.
During the bail hearing, counsel to the second defendant, Ogbu Aboje, urged the court to admit his client to bail pending trial. He argued that the defendant poses no flight risk and would be available to stand trial.
However, the prosecuting counsel, Eristo Asaph, opposed the application, citing Sections 37 and 115 of the Evidence Act. He argued that granting bail would not serve the interest of justice and urged the court to disregard the counter affidavit filed by the defence.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled in favour of the bail application. The court granted the second defendant bail in the sum of ₦30 million, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be civil servants not below Grade Level 16, residing within Abuja and must present verifiable addresses and valid means of identification. Additionally, the defendant was ordered to deposit her international passport with the court.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the court directed that the defendant remain in custody at the Suleja Correctional Facility.
The case was adjourned to October 30, 2025, for the continuation of trial.