Abuja Lawyer Victor Giwa, Others Arraigned, Granted ₦30m Bail Over Alleged Forgery

Two Abuja-based legal practitioners, Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola, have been arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo Division, over alleged involvement in document forgery and impersonation.

The duo, who were brought before Justice M.E. Anenih, are facing a three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy to commit forgery, false personation, and fraudulent execution of documents.

According to the charge filed by the Federal Government, the alleged offences were committed on June 28, 2024, when Giwa and Bukola purportedly forged a letter using the official letterhead of Awa Kalu (SAN) and addressed it to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

The prosecution alleged that the forged document was intended to mislead the AGF into halting Giwa’s arraignment earlier scheduled before Justice Samira Bature of the FCT High Court, Maitama.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to them in court.

Following their plea, the prosecution counsel did not object to the bail applications moved by the defence team. Consequently, Justice Anenih granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of ₦30 million with two sureties in like sum, one of whom must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15.

The judge ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail conditions and adjourned the case for trial.

The matter highlights growing concerns over professional misconduct and document falsification among legal practitioners in Nigeria.