Lawyer, pastor, others in custody over forgery of will

Five persons have been remanded at the medium prison facility in
Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State,
over their role in the alleged forgery of the will of Chief Bernard
Ogbolumani.

The accused include a popular Asaba-based legal practitioner,
Emeka Okonkwo, and a priest of the Anglican Church, Rev. Samuel
Azuka Ogbolumani, the deceased’s son.

Others are Chijindu Iloba Obanya, aka Jindu, Edozie Nwabuoku and
Emeka Eseokwu.

In suit FHC/ASB/9c/2017 between the Inspector-General of Police
and the defendants, Okonkwo and others are facing a seven-count
charge of conspiracy and forgery before Justice Okon Abang of the
Federal High Court, Asaba.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they
were read to them.

After listening to the arguments of the prosecution counsel,
Silas Onele, and defence counsel, A. Nwaka, Justice Abang ordered
that the defendants be remanded in prison custody, pending the
determination of their bail application.

They were arraigned after a forensic investigation to ascertain
the validity or otherwise of the testamentary instrument/will of
the late Chief B.O.I. Ogbolumani, which was suspected to have been
forged, following complaints by some children of the deceased.

Count four of the charge read: “That you, Emeka E. Okonkwo Esq.,
Chijindu Iloba Obanya (a.k.a. Jindu), Edozie Nwabuoku, Emeka
Eseokwu, Rev. Samuel Azuka Ogbolumani and others now at large,
between January and March 2000, in Asaba, within the jurisdiction
of this honourable court, did knowingly and fraudulently forge the
testamentary instrument/will of late Chief (Barr.) Bernard Ikenye
Obidinma Ogbolumani and thereby committed an offence punishable
under section 467 (2) (f) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws
of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

Justice Abang, while handing down the remand order, declared
that the case would be given accelerated hearing as soon as it
commences trial on October 23, 2017, the next adjourned date.

Five persons have been remanded at the medium prison facility in
Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State,
over their role in the alleged forgery of the will of Chief Bernard
Ogbolumani.

The accused include a popular Asaba-based legal practitioner,
Emeka Okonkwo, and a priest of the Anglican Church, Rev. Samuel
Azuka Ogbolumani, the deceased’s son.

Others are Chijindu Iloba Obanya, aka Jindu, Edozie Nwabuoku and
Emeka Eseokwu.

In suit FHC/ASB/9c/2017 between the Inspector-General of Police
and the defendants, Okonkwo and others are facing a seven-count
charge of conspiracy and forgery before Justice Okon Abang of the
Federal High Court, Asaba.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they
were read to them.

After listening to the arguments of the prosecution counsel,
Silas Onele, and defence counsel, A. Nwaka, Justice Abang ordered
that the defendants be remanded in prison custody, pending the
determination of their bail application.

They were arraigned after a forensic investigation to ascertain
the validity or otherwise of the testamentary instrument/will of
the late Chief B.O.I. Ogbolumani, which was suspected to have been
forged, following complaints by some children of the deceased.

Count four of the charge read: “That you, Emeka E. Okonkwo Esq.,
Chijindu Iloba Obanya (a.k.a. Jindu), Edozie Nwabuoku, Emeka
Eseokwu, Rev. Samuel Azuka Ogbolumani and others now at large,
between January and March 2000, in Asaba, within the jurisdiction
of this honourable court, did knowingly and fraudulently forge the
testamentary instrument/will of late Chief (Barr.) Bernard Ikenye
Obidinma Ogbolumani and thereby committed an offence punishable
under section 467 (2) (f) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws
of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

Justice Abang, while handing down the remand order, declared
that the case would be given accelerated hearing as soon as it
commences trial on October 23, 2017, the next adjourned date.