Alleged forgery charge: Court hears lawyers’ bail application March 22

By Chinyere Omeire

The Hearing in the bail application filed by three lawyers, Godwin Etim, Anthony Agadah and Mark Aliu, facing forgery charges was on Tuesday stalled due to inability of the prosecution to file his reply.

The defendants are standing trial before a Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square, on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and forgery preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

They were arraigned on March 8 by the Lagos State Government and they pleaded not guilty to the charge but were remanded.

During arraignment, the prosecution, Mr. M. A. Olateju,  told the court that the trio committed the offences on Dec. 13,  2021, at the state high court registry, Lagos.

According to him, the defendants forged a signature in a civil matter where the validity of a ‘Will’ was being  contested.

Olateju said that the first defendant (Etim) a counsel in the said civil case, procured an affidavit purportedly sworn to by a beneficiary to the said Will.

He said that the defendant forged the beneficiary’s signature and stated incorrect facts in the affidavit.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to the three defendants, Mr Shakiru Omolaja, Mr Nelson Unachukwu and Mr O. Osuma, announced their appearances.

However, the prosecution prayed for more time to file his reply to the bail application.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike, however, adjourned the case until  March 22 for hearing of the bail application.

(NAN)