From Olalekan Awojodu, Abuja
A Federal Capital Territory(FCT) High Court has set May 8, 2023 for the arraignment of the First Bank, its Managing Director, and its Utako, Abuja branch manager, for criminal forgery of a tripartite legal mortage, and disposing of property belonging to one Francis Chukwuma Nwufor, proprietor of Whiteplain British school.
Others to be arraigned with the bank and its officials include two lawyers, Muftau Ande, and Dibiaezue Chuks. Their charges were prepared by the Federal Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Federal Government.
The four count charge marked: CR/266/2023 was filed before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The five defendants in the matter are accused, among others, of forging a “tripartite legal mortgage without the consent of the proprietor of Whiteplain British School Mr. Francis Chukwumah Nwufor with intent to commit fraud.”
The defendants’ statements are also accused of dishonestly disposing Nwufor of his property using the forged tripartite legal mortgage.
At the mention of the case on Tuesday, the defendants were absent. During the proceedings, counsel to the prosecution, Ndidi Ezinwa-Ukoha told the court that all the defendants were yet to be served with the charge.
Following the development, the presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie adjourned till May 8, 2023 for arraignment.
The defendants are, in count one, charged with forgery and criminal conspiracy contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code law and punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code Law.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants had sometimes in 2016, within the jurisdiction of the court conspired among themselves to forge a tripartite legal mortgage without the consent of the proprietor of Whiteplains British School, Mr. Francis Chukwumah Nwufor with the intent to commit fraud.
In count two, they were charged with forgery contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code law and punishable under section 364 of the same law were alleged to have sometimes in 2016, within the jurisdiction of the court, forged tripartite legal mortgage without the consent of the proprietor of the Whiteplians British School, Mr Francis Chukwumah Nwufor and thereby commit an offence.
In count three, it was alleged that the defendants committed a criminal breach of trust contrary to section 311 of the Penal Code law and punishable under section 312 of the same law.
The defendants are, in count four, they accused of dishonestly disposing of Nwuforf of his property while being entrusted with the tripartite legal mortgage, and thereby committed a criminal breach of trust.
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