A University Professor, Prof. Obiajulu Obikeze and four others were on Tuesday put on trial by the federal government at Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations bordering on conspiracy and forgery.
The defendants who pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge were however allowed to continue to enjoy the administration bail granted to them by the police.
This was against the position of the prosecution counsel, Celestine Odo that they be remanded in custody pending their formal bail applications.
The defendants who were repesented by their lawyer, K.C. Nwufo (SAN) are Obikeze, Dr Raymond Ofor, Chief Ezue, Sir Amobi Nwafor and Okafor Bethram IK are 1st to 5th defendants respectively.
Prof. Obikeze (1st defendant), who works with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, formerly Anambra State University Igbariam in Anambra, is charged alongside four others with 11 counts.
In the charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021 dated and filed on July 6 by the prosecuting counsel, Celestine Odo, the defendants were alleged to have committed the offence around January 15, 2019, at Awa, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra.
The charge is brought pursuant to Section 68 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2019, and Section 106(c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
In count one, the five defendants and others now at large were alleged to have conspired to commit forgery offence contrary to Section 3(6) and punishable under Section 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of Nigeria, 2010.
While count two accused them of uttering forged documents, count three accused them of making a forged letter to the Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra on Chieftaincy and Towns Union Matters titled, “Submission of Awa Chieftaincy Constitution,” knowing it to be false, with intent that it may be acted upon as genuine at the Government House, Awka, Anambra State.
The count said this is to the detriment of the people of Umu-Nzekwe as well as Ezeani Families of Awa, and also that the Special Adviser may in the belief that it is genuine be induced to treat the said letter, an offence punishable under the law.
Meanwhile, the matter has been fixed for March 23 to 25 for trial.