Justice Ismail Ijelu of a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja has fixed March 11 for the arraignment of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and three other defendants accused of alleged forgery and mortgage related offences.
The co-defendants in the case are Okogun Polycarp, Batik Line International Limited, and Bolaji Adebajo.
Justice Ismail Ijelu fixed the date after the accused individuals failed to appear before the court for trial.
According to police counsel from the Special Fraud Unit, Daniel Apochi, the defendants had been informed about their arraignment. However, in their absence, the prosecution requested an adjournment to allow the court sheriff to serve them officially.
The Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police has filed a four-count charge against the defendants, including conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery, and fraudulent conversion, violating Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The prosecution alleges that between 2008 and 2009, the defendants conspired to forge the signature of Mrs. Grace Adenike Akinwusi on several legal documents, including an authority to create a legal mortgage, a deed of assignment, an irrevocable power of attorney, and a memorandum of understanding. These forged documents were allegedly used to fraudulently convert her property at No. 5B, Sasegbon Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
The second count accuses the defendants of forgery, violating Sections 363(1)(a), (b), and 368(3)(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, while the third count pertains to the fraudulent use of false documents under Section 366(1).
The fourth count charges FCMB and the other defendants with theft, under Sections 280(1)(6), 280(1)(2), and 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law.
They are alleged to have stolen the property at No. 5B, Sasegbon Street by dishonestly converting it for personal use through forged documents.
The case is set to proceed on March 11, when the defendants are expected to appear in court for their arraignment.
