News Investigators/ An Abuja High Court on Wednesday admitted a lawyer, Victor Giwa to bail in the sum of N30 million for alleged forgery and impersonation.
The police arraigned Mr Giwa alongside Ibitade Bukola before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, for criminal conspiracy to commit forgery, false personation, and fraudulent execution of documents.
They pleaded not guilty to all the charge.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted Mr Giwa bail in the sum of N30 million, with two sureties in like sum.
However, he refused Bukola’s application because the application was not written.
The police alleged that Mr 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.
It was previously stalled on Sept. 15, 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.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Asaph Eristo informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment.
The prosecution urged the court to remand Giwa, citing the need to prevent interference with investigations.
However, Edwin Anikpenu, SAN, Counsel for the defendants, applied for their bail.
He stated that both defendants were legal practitioners and argued that Bukola was a nursing mother.
Anikpenu sought leave of the court to orally amend the existing bail application to include the second defendant.
Onwuegbuzie, frowned at the request for an oral bail in spite of 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 said.
The judge subsequently, refused bail for the second defendant and asked that she be remanded at the Correctional Facility in Suleja, Niger.
Regarding Giwa’s bail, Anikpenu urged the court to consider admitting him on self-recognition .
He added 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, Onwuegbuzie admitted Giwa to bail in the sum of ₦30 million, with two sureties in like sum, indicating he remains in police custody till he perfects its conditions.
The sureties he said, must be civil servants not below Grade Level 16, resident in Abuja, with verifiable addresses and valid ID cards.
In addition, they must also deposit their international passports with the registrar of the court.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until Oct. 15, for continuation.
NAN
