Forgery: Lagos lawyer languishes in jail

Lagos High Court in Igbosere has fixed October 25 for the trial of a Lagos lawyer, Kole Bello, who has been languishing in jail over alleged conspiracy and forgery.

Kole Bello, and three others - Chukwuka Victor, Friday Palmer and Osumah Joseph Terry - appeared in court Wednesday following a bench warrant issued for their arrest by the trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo last July 10.

Their arraignment was however stalled following the prosecution’s inability to present the case file.

Prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Aroyewun, informed the court that there were new developments.

“A petition was forwarded to the Attorney-General’s office in respect of the matter. The AG called for the case file yesterday for a further review. So we are not with the file here,” Aroyewun said.

Following an application by defence counsel, Mr Frances Udokeorah, Justice Taiwo granted the defendants N1 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

Bello informed the court that he was a lawyer but was still in custody for another matter, hence he didn’t prepare his bail application.

Justice Taiwo adjourned their arraignment till October 25. According the charge brought by the prosecution, the defendants committed the alleged offences sometime in December 2001.

They allegedly forged a C-of-O with Ref. No. 63/63/1989s “with the intent that it may be used or acted upon as genuine.”

The offences contravene sections 422 and 427 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State, 2003.