Abuja-based lawyers, Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola, have appeared before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Apo Division, on charges of alleged document forgery and impersonation.
The duo face a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy to commit forgery, false personation, and fraudulent execution of documents. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences took place on 28 June 2024, when Giwa and Bukola purportedly forged a letter using the official letterhead of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Awa Kalu, and addressed it to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.
The forged letter allegedly sought to influence the Attorney General to halt Giwa’s arraignment before Justice Samira Bature at the High Court, Maitama.
The case, presided over by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, had previously stalled on 15 September 2025, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant against Giwa, who was later arrested.
During the resumed proceedings, prosecution counsel Asaph Eristo informed the court that the session was for arraignment. The charges were read in open court, and both defendants pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution requested that Giwa be remanded in prison custody to prevent interference with ongoing investigations.
However, defence counsel Edwin Anikpenu (SAN) applied for bail, noting that both defendants are legal practitioners and adding that the second defendant, Bukola, is a nursing mother. He sought the court’s permission to orally amend the bail application to include her.
Justice Onwuegbuzie criticised the defence for making an oral bail application despite having more than a dozen lawyers present. The court refused bail for the second defendant and ordered her remand at the Suleja Correctional Facility in Niger State.
Regarding Giwa’s bail, Anikpenu urged the court to grant bail on self-recognition or allow him to remain in the custody of a respected executive of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Garki branch, assuring the court that Giwa would not interfere with the case.
The prosecution opposed the request, citing a counter-affidavit and evidence indicating that Giwa posed a flight risk, noting that public funds were expended to secure his arrest.
After hearing both arguments, the court granted Giwa bail in the sum of ₦30 million, with two sureties in the same amount. He is to remain in police custody until he fulfils the bail conditions.
The sureties must be Abuja-based civil servants not below Grade Level 16, with verifiable addresses, valid identity cards, and international passports submitted to the court.
The matter was adjourned until 15 October 2025 for continuation.