Asaba magistrate court arraigns lawyer for forgery

A lawyer, Mr. Mbanefo Nwoko was arraigned before an Asaba Magistrate Court in Delta State for allegedly forging medical documents. In charge number CMA/420c/2017, between the Commissioner of Police (complainant) and the accused person, Mr. Mbanefo is facing a 10-count charge bothering on conspiracy and forgery.

The accused and others at large, allegedly forged documents of the Hospital Management Board, Owa-Oyibu, and presented same as genuine documents to Chief Magistrate Court. But the 63-year old accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were to him by the court.

Presiding Magistrate, Ann Okonkwo (Mrs.) however granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000.00 and a surety in like sum. The surety, Magistrate Okonkwo said must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court where he must also have landed property.

Mrs. Okonkwo however ordered the surety to submit documents of the landed property to the court, before adjourning the matter to September 12, 2017 for definite hearing.

Defense counsel, P.C. Dukwun had applied for the bail application, contending that the accused person is a legal practitioner with over 30 years experience saying that the facts of the counts arose as a result of rendering professional services.

Mr. Dunkwu urged the court to grant the accused bail based on self recognition, and that the offenses were bailable, adding that the accused will not abscond if granted bail.

But prosecution counsel, R.O. Ishiguzo vehemently opposed the bail application, arguing that the accused may jump bail and influence the course of justice.

Ishigugo further contended that the accused, if granted bail, may suppress evidence that may criminalise him. He said that the matter was still under investigation as some of the suspects in the alleged forgery w be arrested.

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