Falsification: Court Grants Clearing Agents Bail

A Federal High Court in
Lagos last Thursday slammed a one million naira bail on two clearing agents over alleged falsification of customs and excise documents.
The accused, Nurudeen Olatunbosi, 41, and Olatunposin Atanda, 46, are standing trial on a three-count charge, bordering on forging of signature and documents.
Our correspondent reports that the duo had pleaded not guilty at their first arraignment on May 7.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, who gave the ruling, also granted the accused bail with a surety each.
He said the sureties must be property owners in Lagos with a certificate of occupancy.
In addition, Aneke said the surety must be a civil servant not below grade level 10. Counsel to the accused, Mr Ikhide Daniels, had urged the court to grant bail to the accused because they had been remanded in prison custody since they were arraigned.
He supported the bail application with a 21-paragraph affidavit, based on the presumption of innocence of the accused until they were found guilty.
Daniels told the court that the bail application was brought, pursuant to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 118 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
The Prosecutor, Mrs C. Igboko, however, did not oppose the bail application.
She alleged that the accused committed the offences between February 13 and March 4 at Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos.
According to her, the accused falsified documents for the transaction of customs and excise business in respect of clearing one Honda Accord car at the port.
Igboko alleged that the duo also falsified a signature used by a customs officer in verifying documents during clearing processes.
She noted that the offences contravened Sections 162 (a), 162 (b) and (c) of the Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45, Laws of the Federation.
The case was adjourned until June 18 for trial.