₦airaland Forum

Abuja-based lawyers Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola were on Tuesday arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo Division, over charges of alleged document forgery and impersonation.

The defendants are facing a three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy to commit forgery, false personation, and fraudulent execution of documents.

According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences were committed on June 28, 2024, when Giwa and Bukola purportedly forged a letter using the official letterhead of Awa U. Kalu (SAN), and addressed it to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

The forged letter titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023” allegedly sought to influence the AGF to stop Giwa’s arraignment scheduled before Justice Samira Bature at the High Court, Maitama.

The matter, presided over by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, was previously stalled on September 15, 2025, prompting the issuance of a bench warrant against Giwa, who was later arrested.

His co-defendant, Bukola, had been at large but was presented before the court today.

During Wednesday's proceedings, Prosecution Counsel Asaph Eristo informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment. The charges were read in open court, and Victor Giwa and his co-defendant pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution requested that Giwa be remanded in prison custody, citing the need to prevent interference with investigations.

However, Edwin Anikpenu, SAN, appearing for the defence, applied for bail, stating that both defendants are legal practitioners and argued that the second defendant, Bukola, is a nursing mother.

Anikpenu sought leave of the court to orally amend the existing bail application to include the second defendant.

Justice Onwuegbuzie, visibly displeased, criticised the defence for presenting an oral bail request despite being represented by over a dozen lawyers.

"It is shocking that a lawyer, a Senior Advocate, would come with an oral application and attempt to add another defendant without documentation. With 13 lawyers present, none deemed it fit to file a proper bail application," the judge remarked.

The court subsequently refused bail for the second defendant and asked she be remanded at the Correctional Facility in Suleja, Niger State

Regarding Giwa’s bail, Anikpenu urged the court to consider admitting him on self-recognition or to the custody of a reputable executive of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Garki Branch, promising that he would not interfere with the case.

The prosecution opposed the application, citing a counter-affidavit and evidence suggesting Giwa posed a flight risk, noting that public funds were used to effect his arrest.

After hearing both sides, the court granted Victor Giwa bail in the sum of ₦30 million, with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must be civil servants not below Grade Level 16, resident in Abuja, with verifiable addresses and valid ID cards. They must also submit their international passports.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 15, 2025 for continuation.

Also in attendance today at the court were A.A. Askira of the Civil Liberty Committee of NBA watching briefs for the defendant and Levi Nwonye, Esq. for the Nominal Complainant.

ccollins:
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CrownedPhoenix:
Away from impersonation, a few questions:

If a person can defend himself in court without claiming he has LLB, LLM or called to bar, why shouldn't he be able to do so?

If a person has someone whom he thinks can defend him very well in court on a subject matter even without having LLB or being called to bar but knows court processes and proceedings very well, why can't he be defended by same?

Kindly enlighten me.

CrownedPhoenix:
Away from impersonation, a few questions:

If a person can defend himself in court without claiming he has LLB, LLM or called to bar, why shouldn't he be able to do so?

If a person has someone whom he thinks can defend him very well in court on a subject matter even without having LLB or being called to bar but knows court processes and proceedings very well, why can't he be defended by same?

Kindly enlighten me.

Mitsurugi:
This reminds me of a guy at the Ogba Magistrate Court that insisted on defending himself. He ended up indicting himself until a lawyer had to step in on good conscience and opted to represent him pro bono. The Magistrate advised him to apply wisdom.

How can you tell the court that you willingly procured Oloshos for white sailors? 😂😂😂

Musty112:
It is a constitutionally guaranteed right to be able to represent yourself, at your own peril if I may add! Lawyers are not referred to as learned for no reason

CrownedPhoenix:
Away from impersonation, a few questions:

If a person can defend himself in court without claiming he has LLB, LLM or called to bar, why shouldn't he be able to do so?

If a person has someone whom he thinks can defend him very well in court on a subject matter even without having LLB or being called to bar but knows court processes and proceedings very well, why can't he be defended by same?

Kindly enlighten me.

zenburster:
I don't understand, but can someone enlighten me on why this case keeps hitting the front page?

Is it organic, or are some moderators being induced to push it?

Apart from Nairaland, I haven't seen it anywhere.

delzbaba:
This Giwa man has really offended some strong men in the society, he had better made a deal fast.

ogugwa1992:
https://businessday.ng/news/article/alleged-forgery-abuja-lawyer-victor-giwa-others-arraigned-slams-n30m-bail-condition/

Jokerman:
Hopefully the Minister that used forgery to obtain position will be arraigned as well

CrownedPhoenix:
Away from impersonation, a few questions:

If a person can defend himself in court without claiming he has LLB, LLM or called to bar, why shouldn't he be able to do so?

If a person has someone whom he thinks can defend him very well in court on a subject matter even without having LLB or being called to bar but knows court processes and proceedings very well, why can't he be defended by same?

Kindly enlighten me.