Fraud:Federal DPP Indicts PH Lawyer

The Department of
Public Prosecution (DPP), Federal Ministry of Justice, Port Harcourt zonal office, has declared that a Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner, Barrister Inye George standing trial on a false pretence and forgery before a Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate presided by E. C Woke on charge sheet number PMC/428C/2014 has case to answer before the court on the allegation.
The DPP’s indictment was contained in a legal advice letter dated 12th May, 2014 signed by Udofia Hannah Mfourg, addressed to the Chief Registrar, state High Court with reference number CRN0263/2013 charge No PMC/482C/2014, Commissioner of Police vs Inye George and read by the presiding chief magistrate on the resumption of the trial.
Part of the letter which read “I am directed to refer to your letter dated the 21st March, 2014 with reference number RS/JUB/4/vol.iv/187/14 requesting for legal advice in the above mentioned charge.”
“I am also to inform you that after a crucial examination of the case file, we are of the opinion that a prima facie case of obtaining Money by false pretence and forgery has been established against the accused person.”
“We hereby retain the original file for onward prosecution of the matter-Accept the warm regards of the zonal/liaison officer South-South Zone.”
The DPP Advice letter was also copied to Chief Magistrate Court I, Port Harcourt, E. C. Woke and the true copy was certified by F. C. Dappa, Registrar.
Barrister Inye George who was earlier arraigned before a Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court presided over by E. C. Woke is stranding trial on four count charge bordering on alleged fraud and false pretence, forgery of signature and alteration of figures.
The accused had earlier pleaded not guilty on count 2, 3 and 4 when the charge sheet was read to him by the court registrar but was not allowed to take plea on count I on the grounds that the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the charge.
The police prosecution, Insp. Edward Ojiezele told the court among other things that the accused person within the period of September 2009 to January 2010 at No 79 Aba Road, Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of the court by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,350,000.00 from D Stephens industries Ltd, to perfect up stamping of records at CAC and perfecting of post incorporation processes at Corporate Affairs Commission, a representation he knew was false and did not believe to be true.
In his ruling, the presiding Chief Magistrate, E. C. Woke granted the accused person bail on count 2, 3, and 4 but referred the count 1 to DPP for legal advice on the matter.

Former Oyo State chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Lamidi Mukaila (Aka Auxiliary) (2nd left) arraigned at State High Court, Iyaganku in Ibadan yesterday.