Legal Practitioner, One Other Arraigned for Alleged Criminal Conspiracy, Forgery

A businesswoman, Patience Bello and a legal practitioner, Bello Adinoyi were on Wednesday, arraigned in the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Zuba for alleged criminal conspiracy and forgery.

The defendants are facing trial on a three-count bordering on forgery.

They however pleaded not guilty of the charges presented against them.

The Prosecution Counsel, Emmanuel Uzowuru earlier told the court that the defendants allegedly used as genuine, a forged land documents belonging to one Ben Macaulay, which was allotted to the complainant, Alhaji Musbau Lamidi sometime in 2022.

He said that the defendants signed, sealed and executed a power of attorney with the intention of making it to be believed that it was executed by one Jamila Hassan.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of Sections 97, 362 and 364 of the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, the Defence Counsel, Kenneth Osemeha made a bail application for the defendants and urged the court to grant it in the most liberal terms.

Osemeha said that the defendants were released on Administrative bail on self recognizance, and had been diligent before their arraignment and would not jump bail if granted.

The prosecution however did not oppose to the bail application.

Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya therefore granted the defendants bail with one surety each who must have a property within the FCT.

Ogbonnaya said that the sureties must show evidence of having N500, 000 in an unencumbered account.

She adjourned the matter until Feb. 4 for hearing.