A pastor with the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Moses Ayantoye, was on Wednesday re-arraigned before an Oyo State High Court in Ibadan over allegations of impersonation, forgery and defamation.
Ayantoye was initially arraigned on February 8, 2022 on a 23-count charge bordering on forgery and impersonation among others.
At Wednesday’s proceeding, the prosecuting counsel, Michael Lana, said the case was slated for the reading of the 31-count amended charges against the defendant.
Lana alleged that the defendant forged the letterhead of CAC to write a letter he later forwarded to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 11, Osogbo.
Lana said false statements were made in the letter against pastors and the solicitor of the church including officers of the Corporate Affairs Commission to get them falsely prosecuted for criminal offences.
The prosecutor said the defendant, with intent to defraud, also came up with documents of the church without any authority and wrote a letter to the Legal Practitioners and Privileges Committee.
The defendant, according to Lana, provided false information to the Chairman, Legal Practitioners and Privileges Committee, to deprive an applicant seeking the rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant published a defamatory matter against the President and other Trustees of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria in national dailies of October 18, 2021.
He said the offences contravened Sections 117, 125A, 373, 375, 484, 473, 463, and 465 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The defence counsel, Mr Anthony Daramola, urged the court to allow his client to continue with the previous bail of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
Daramola, arguing that his client had never violated any of the bail conditions, said the two sureties were in court and ready to continue as his sureties.
The prosecuting counsel, however, did not oppose the bail application.
Justice Rachael Akintola ruled that the defendant should continue to enjoy the bail as earlier given and adjourned the case till May 16 for hearing.
