Three In Prison Custody Over Forgery

A Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court, has remanded three accused persons in prison custody for alleged forgery of signature and involvement in other criminal acts.

The three accused persons, Tokun Anyinde 46, Shola Adeleke 35 and Monsuru Agiri 35 are standing trial on a six count charge bordering on forgery, unlawful transfer of money, stealing among others, before a chief magistrate court presided over by E.C Woke.

The accused persons were said to have on 2nd February, 2012 at about 09:00 hours at First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Rumumasi Branch forged and altered a First Bank Cheque with HC 6136400 number belonging to Impressive Arcade Nigeria Limited.

The prosecuting police officer, Inspector Godwin Nwinam told the court that the accused persons and others now at large on the 1st of February 2012 at Polomo Hotels Elelenwo in Port Harcourt Magisterial District did conspire among themselves to commit falconry to wit forgery.

The prosecution further told the court that the accused persons on the same date and place with intent to defraud did without lawful authority or excuse alter and forged the signature of Mr. Adeyemi Adeniyi and Remilekun Oshimowo respectively.

According to the police prosecutor, the accused persons now in custody allegedly attempted to steal the sum of eighty-three million, four hundred and fifty thousand naira (N83,450,.000) belonging to Adeniyi and Remilekun-Oshimowo of Impressive Ascade Nigeria Limited by transferring the said amount of money to account of one Hassan Mary Oluremi.

He averred that the accused persons commited an offense punishable under sections 516 A (a) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol II, 467 (2)(2), 473,508,484 laws of Rivers State 1999.

He opposed the bail application sought by the defence counsel to the accused persons, Barrister A.O. Nweale on the ground that the accused persons may jump bail if granted.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, E.C Woke deferred rulling on the bail application to the next date of adjournment. The case was later adjourned to 24/3/2012 for continuation.