Two clerics, Isaac Kilanko and Sebioba Mustapha, were arraigned in the FCT High Court in Zuba on Friday for alleged mischief and forgery.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation charged the defendants, clergymen at the Seed of Christa Golden Church, Kubwa, Abuja, with 29 counts bordering on alleged mischief and forgery.
The prosecution counsel, John Okpa, alleged that the defendants and one John Areh, at large, on June 12, 2022, used forged documents to claim ownership of a plot of land, MF 1335 Extension 11B, Kubwa.
Mr Okpa alleged that the plot of land was originally allotted to Babanna Ventures, dated May 15, 2001, but later, the land was allocated to the complainant, Musbau Lamidi.
He told the court that the defendants allegedly forged a Bwari Area Council letter of allocation, conveyance of provisional approval of Customary Right of Occupancy and Right of Occupancy, and regularisation of land titles.
According to him, other forged documents include the FCT Area Council acknowledgement, Bwari Area Council receipt, and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) certificate of incorporation of the business name Babanna Ventures.
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He alleged that the defendants and Mr Areh demolished the security house and parameter fence on the plot, erected a structure, and claimed that they did not know the documents were faked.
The prosecution alleged the defendants conspired and forged a CAC registration certificate of business name and proceeded to use Mr Lamidi’s building materials, which were found on the plot of land valued at N6,840,000.
He said the offence contravened sections 366,368, 364, 348, 327,140, 96 and 287 of the Penal Code and 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The defence counsel, Bernard Nafagha, moved a motion for his clients’ bail and urged the court to grant it in the most liberal terms, citing section 165 Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
Mr Nafagha argued that since the defendants had earlier been granted administrative bail by the police on their self-recognisance and had been diligent before their arraignment, they would not jump bail if granted.
The prosecution, however, urged the court to discountenance the bail application, saying the police bail could not apply to the court’s bail.
He added that if bail was granted, the court should invoke section 165 (2)of ACJA, which says the court may require the deposit of money by the defendants for security.
Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya obliged the defendant’s counsel’s plea, granting them bail on self-recognition.
Ms Ogbonnaya, however, warned the defendants to ensure they appear in court for their trial, saying disobedience to the order would lead to revocation of the bail.
She adjourned the case until January 20 for a hearing.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
