A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Monday reaffirmed that Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, will be arraigned on Wednesday.
Giwa and one other person, Ibitade Bukola, are being prosecuted by the Nigeria Police Force for alleged forgery and impersonation.
During Monday’s proceedings, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie declined to proceed with the arraignment, explaining that the case was not listed on the court’s cause list.
Giwa, who represented himself in court, had earlier been arrested following a bench warrant issued on Sept. 15, while Bukola, according to police, remains at large.
The prosecution counsel, Mr Theophilus Silas, informed the court that he was ready to proceed with the arraignment or, alternatively, a bail application.
However, Justice Onwuegbuzie maintained that the matter was not scheduled for hearing.
“The court did not grant any abridgment of time for arraignment,” the judge stated.
It was reported that the initial arraignment, scheduled for Sept. 15, failed to hold, leading the court to issue a bench warrant for Giwa’s arrest.
Giwa and Bukola are accused of conspiring to forge a legal document purportedly issued by the chambers of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa U. Kalu, with the intent to mislead the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
The disputed letter allegedly sought intervention to halt an arraignment scheduled before Justice Samira Bature of the High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on July 2, 2024.
(NAN)