A lawyer, Julius Elukpo was on Friday arraigned before a
Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court on a one-count charge of
forgery.
Elukpo who is also the Chairman of Kogi State Elders Forum was
alleged to have forged the signatures of two persons to write a
petition to the Minister of Health on March 22, 2017.
When the charge was read to Elukpo, he pleaded not guilty.
However, the police prosecutor, Sgt. Obi Ubana told the Chief
Magistrate, Mr Seidu Hussein that Elukpo had in the petition
alleged corruption, fraud and injustice against some management
staff of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.
He said that after police investigation, it was established that
two of the signatures on the petition were forged, prompting the
state Commissioner of Police to institute the case against
Elukpo.
Ubana said that the offence is contrary to Section 364 of the
penal code and prescribes a maximum of 14 years imprisonment if
found guilty.
He told the court that he had lined up five witnesses, including
the two persons whose signatures were allegedly forged by the
defendant to prove his case.
Ubana then asked the court to remand the defendant in prison
custody and sought for adjournment.
Counsel to Elukpo, Mr Muizdeeen Abdulahi , while making oral
application for bail, urged the court to use its discretion in
granting his client bail.
He said that Elukpo is a well respected member of the bar in
Lokoja who will not interfere with investigation or jump bail.
However, the prosecutor urged the court not to grant the bail,
saying that the defendant had consistently failed to honour police
invitations.
He said that the police had to arrest the accused on March 8 and
consequently charged him to court.
The Chief Magistrate agreed with the prosecution that the case
was ordinarily bailable, but explained that the court can still
exercise its discretion over the application.
Hussein consequently granted Elukpo bail on self recognition,
with a N50,000 bond.
He warned the defendant not to interfere with investigation or
commit any other offence.
The Chief Magistrate them adjourned the case till March 19, for
mention.
A lawyer, Julius Elukpo was on Friday arraigned before a
Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court on a one-count charge of
forgery.
Elukpo who is also the Chairman of Kogi State Elders Forum was
alleged to have forged the signatures of two persons to write a
petition to the Minister of Health on March 22, 2017.
When the charge was read to Elukpo, he pleaded not guilty.
However, the police prosecutor, Sgt. Obi Ubana told the Chief
Magistrate, Mr Seidu Hussein that Elukpo had in the petition
alleged corruption, fraud and injustice against some management
staff of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.
He said that after police investigation, it was established that
two of the signatures on the petition were forged, prompting the
state Commissioner of Police to institute the case against
Elukpo.
Ubana said that the offence is contrary to Section 364 of the
penal code and prescribes a maximum of 14 years imprisonment if
found guilty.
He told the court that he had lined up five witnesses, including
the two persons whose signatures were allegedly forged by the
defendant to prove his case.
Ubana then asked the court to remand the defendant in prison
custody and sought for adjournment.
Counsel to Elukpo, Mr Muizdeeen Abdulahi , while making oral
application for bail, urged the court to use its discretion in
granting his client bail.
He said that Elukpo is a well respected member of the bar in
Lokoja who will not interfere with investigation or jump bail.
However, the prosecutor urged the court not to grant the bail,
saying that the defendant had consistently failed to honour police
invitations.
He said that the police had to arrest the accused on March 8 and
consequently charged him to court.
The Chief Magistrate agreed with the prosecution that the case
was ordinarily bailable, but explained that the court can still
exercise its discretion over the application.
Hussein consequently granted Elukpo bail on self recognition,
with a N50,000 bond.
He warned the defendant not to interfere with investigation or
commit any other offence.
The Chief Magistrate them adjourned the case till March 19, for
mention.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/kogi-lawyer-charged-with-forgery-granted-bail/