Prof. Obiajulu Obikeze of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), formerly known as Anambra State University Igbariam and four others were arraigned yesterday before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged forgery.
It was gathered that while the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) are the complainants, Obikeze, Dr. Raymond Ofor, Chief Ezue, Sir Amobi Nwafor and Okafor Bethram IK are first to fifth defendants in the case.
In count one of the 11-count charge, the five defendants and others at large, allegedly conspired to commit forgery contrary to Section 3(6) and punishable under Section 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of Nigeria 2010.
While count two accused them of uttering forged documents, count three accused them of making “a forged letter to Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra State on Chieftaincy and Towns Union Matters.
In the case with number: FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021 dated and filed on July 6, 2021 by Odo, the defendants allegedly committed the offence on January 15, 2019, at Awa, Orumba North Council of Anambra State.
The document is titled: “Submission of Awa Chieftaincy Constitution,” knowing it to be false, with intent that it may be acted upon as genuine at the Government House, Awka.”
When the matter was mentioned for hearing, the prosecuting counsel, Celestine Odo, informed the court that all the defendants were present.
“It is our application that the 11-count charge filed July 6, 2021, be read to them for them to take their plea, he said, just as the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Odo, who prayed the court for a date for the trial, said 19 witnesses had been listed to prosecute the case, said while about five of the witnesses will be invited to testify in court, others will give their testimony in the alternative.
He, therefore, urged the court to give an order the remand of the defendants in a correctional centre pending the perfection of their bail terms, but Justice Ekwo declined and adjourned the matter to May 23, May 24 and May 25, 2022 for commencement of trial.
