Police arraign Anambra lawyer over alleged forgery

A 49-year-old lawyer, Etomike Ndigwe, has been summoned by police authorities at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Otuocha, Anambra State, over alleged falsification of public documents.

Ndigwe is on trial on three counts of forgery, conspiracy, and breach of public order, offences punishable under Section 443 and 115 of the Penal Code Cap 36 Vol. II Anambra State Revised Law of 1991.

The local prosecutor, Richard Okoti, told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 29 in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area.

Okoti said the accused forged the street registration certificate and allegedly used the same to fight for the street name in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area.

He also claimed that the accused and others at large had behaved in a manner likely to cause a breach of the public peace by removing the street name from Dr Innocent Chidumebi Okonkwo, which was placed on the houses along the street.

According to him, there was no trace of a record of the alleged certificate in the local government area.

When the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty, and Magistrate Mr M.I. Ogolo granted him bail with responsible sureties.

The trial was adjourned until August 5.