July 10, 2017
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- Law News, Nigeria News
A Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Monday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of three men allegedly involved in the forgery of a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo made the order following their absence in court.
The suspects are – Chukwuka Victor, Friday Palmer and Osumah Joseph Terry.
They, alongside a legal practitioner, Kole Bello, were recommended for trial by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in June 10, 2014.
The advice stated, among others, that the facts of the case supported a case of conspiracy to defraud and forgery against them.
The letter also recommended that one Mr. Rotimi Wilmot Olubeko should be prosecuted alongside them for the offence.
But when the case was called on Monday, only Bello was present in court.
On enquiry by the judge, the prosecutor, R. O. Aroyewun, said the trio were aware they were to be arraigned, so, he was surprised they were not in court.
But the complainant’s counsel, Olanrewaju Ajanaku said the DPP and the police should know the suspects’ whereabouts.
Responding, Investigative Police Officer (IPO), Mohammed Salisu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), absolved the police of blame.
He said: “The defendants are not in police custody, the DPP has been working alone without carrying either the police or the complainant along. Even the prosecuting counsel does not know me as the IPO in this matter.
Source: Robert Egbe
The Nation