By Patrick Idowu
An Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, is in police custody following a bench warrant issued against him by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court, Apo, over charges of forgery and impersonation.
Giwa was arrested by police operatives in Lagos and later sighted at the Asokoro Police Station on Friday. He is standing trial alongside his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie had on September 15 ordered the arrest of both defendants after they failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment.
Court officials disclosed that although police had assured the court of presenting Giwa on September 25, the judge waited in vain for his appearance. The matter has now been adjourned to October 8.
In the charge marked CR/150/25 filed by the Inspector General of Police, Giwa and Bukola are accused of conspiring to forge a legal document purportedly issued from the chambers of Awa U. Kalu, SAN, with the intent to mislead the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
The three-count charge alleges that on June 28, 2024, the duo forged and signed a letter on Kalu’s official letterhead titled
“Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023.”
The letter, addressed to the AGF, sought to halt Giwa’s arraignment before Justice Samira Bature of the FCT High Court, Maitama, where he and property developer, Cecil Osakwe, were to face a nine-count charge of alleged illegal eviction, criminal intimidation, threat to life, and property damage valued at N300 million.
The fresh case before Justice Onwuegbuzie includes charges of conspiracy to commit forgery and impersonation (Section 97, Penal Code Act 2004), fraudulent execution of documents (Section 364), and false personation of a legal practitioner (Section 179).
At the last sitting, prosecution counsel, Eristo Asaph, recalled that Giwa had earlier sought adjournment in May to bury two sisters.
He later submitted a letter dated September 3 citing urgent medical issues, while Bukola’s counsel claimed she had a hospital appointment for her daughter’s immunisation.
Asaph opposed both excuses, arguing that Giwa’s medical report did not prove incapacity to attend court, while Bukola failed to produce any documentary evidence.
Justice Onwuegbuzie agreed, ruling that their excuses were insufficient, and invoked Section 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), to issue the bench warrant that led to Giwa’s arrest.
The defendants are expected to appear before the court on October 8.
