An Abuja Lawyer, other over forgery, Impersonation
An Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, has been dragged before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, over allegations of forgery and impersonation.
In the charge marked CR/150/25 filed by the Inspector General of Police, Giwa and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola Olugbenga, are accused of conspiring to forge an official document purportedly issued from the chambers of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa U. Kalu, with the intent to mislead the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
According to the three-count charge, the alleged offence occurred on June 28, 2024. The prosecution claims that Giwa and Olugbenga jointly authoured and signed a letter using the official letterhead of Awa U. Kalu (SAN), falsely appealing to the AGF to suspend a scheduled arraignment.
The contentious letter, titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023”, was addressed to the AGF and sought to delay Giwa’s arraignment before Hon. Justice Samira Bature of the High Court in Maitama, Abuja, Scheduled for July 2, 2024.
The letter urged that the charges be withdrawn in the interest of “natural justice, equity, and fair play”, implying it originated from the respected chambers of Awe U. Kalu, SAN.
Giwa was previously set to be arraigned alongside property developer Cecil Osakwe and another defendant on a nine-count charge involving illegal eviction, criminal intimidation, threat to life, and property damage at over N300 million.
The fresh charge now pending before the before Apo Division of FCT High Court includes:
- Conspiracy to commit forgery and impersonation (punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act, 2004),
- Dishonest execution of a fraudulent document (Section 364), and
- False personation of a legal practitioner (Section 179).
The case, involving grave allegations of professional misconduct, is being prosecuted by Eristo Asaph, Esq., of the Legal/Prosecution Section under the authority of the Inspector General of Police.
At the scheduled arraignment on Monday, the matter came up before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie at the FCT High Court, Apo. However, proceedings were stalled due to the absence of both defendants.
Defense Counsel U.J. Udoh informed the court that the first defendant, Victor Giwa, was bereaved and had travelled to his village for the burial of his sister, prompting a request for adjournment.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the application and adjourned the case to September 15, 2025, for arraignment, warning that no further excuses would be entertained on the next date.
Read similar news here:https://punchng.com/lawyers-to-face-trial-for-alleged-attempt-to-mislead-agf/
