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Alleged forgery: Abuja lawyer Victor Giwa, one other arraigned, remanded in prison

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
Alleged forgery: Abuja lawyer Victor Giwa, one other arraigned, remanded in prison

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.

Alleged forgery: Abuja lawyer Victor Giwa, one other arraigned, remanded in prison

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Ogun’s Ibeman emerges Chairman, Forum of Majority Leaders in South-West

The Majority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Sherif Yusuf popularly known as Ibeman, has emerged as the Chairman of the Forum of Majority Leaders in the South-West. His emergence was announced during the 3rd Quarterly Meeting of the South-West Legislative Reform Implementation Committee, SLRIC, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Declaring the meeting
Ogun’s Ibeman emerges Chairman, Forum of Majority Leaders in South-West

The Majority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Sherif Yusuf popularly known as Ibeman, has emerged as the Chairman of the Forum of Majority Leaders in the South-West.

His emergence was announced during the 3rd Quarterly Meeting of the South-West Legislative Reform Implementation Committee, SLRIC, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Declaring the meeting open, the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, joined by the Deputy Speaker, Bolanle Ajayi, and other members of the Ogun House of Assembly, commended the Forum for its commitment to legislative development and regional integration.

DAILY POST reports that the Forum which aims at improving legislative collaboration, push for policy changes that support regional sustainable development and good governance, serves as the Legislative Reform Implementation Committee for the South-West region.

It comprises of Majority Leaders from the State Houses of Assembly of Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo and Oyo states.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman emphasized the need for greater synergy among South-West legislatures to drive impactful reforms that reflect the aspirations of the people.

Ibeman assured that the Forum, under his leadership will continue to work on policies that support people-oriented governance, improve regional cooperation, and strengthen legislative institutions across South-West.

He expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi, the Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

Ogun’s Ibeman emerges Chairman, Forum of Majority Leaders in South-West

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Nigerian Senate swears in two new senators

The Senate has officially sworn in two newly elected senators, Joseph Ikpea and Emmanuel Nwachukwu, representing Edo Central and Anambra South senatorial districts, respectively. Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the ceremony during plenary on Wednesday, with the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Ojo, administering the oaths of office and allegiance to the new lawmakers.
Nigerian Senate swears in two new senators

The Senate has officially sworn in two newly elected senators, Joseph Ikpea and Emmanuel Nwachukwu, representing Edo Central and Anambra South senatorial districts, respectively.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the ceremony during plenary on Wednesday, with the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Ojo, administering the oaths of office and allegiance to the new lawmakers.

DAILY POST reports that she swearing in follows recent by-elections conducted to fill two vacant Senate seats, one previously held by Monday Okpebholo, now Governor of Edo State and the other by the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who passed away in July 2024.

Prior to the ceremony, the Senate temporarily relaxed its rules to allow family members and dignitaries into the chamber to witness the event.

Among the high profile guests were former Delta State Governor James Ibori, former Edo State Deputy Governor and Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports Philip Shuaibu and other prominent political figures.

Akpabio charged the new lawmakers to diligently study and abide by the senate standing rules.

DAILY POST reports that with the addition of Senators Ikpea and Nwachukwu, the Senate now retains its full complement of 109 members.

Nigerian Senate swears in two new senators

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Alleged police harassment: SAN, 13 lawyers storm court as Victor Giwa gets bail

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr Edwin Anikwenu and 13 lawyers from the Garki Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on Wednesday stormed a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Apo, to defend human rights lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa, in a forgery case filed against him by the police. In
Alleged police harassment: SAN, 13 lawyers storm court as Victor Giwa gets bail

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr Edwin Anikwenu and 13 lawyers from the Garki Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on Wednesday stormed a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Apo, to defend human rights lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa, in a forgery case filed against him by the police.

In the charge, the police accused Giwa of forging the letterhead of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor Awa Kalu.

While arguing the bail application for Giwa, Anikwenu prayed the court to admit him to bail on self recognizance or in the alternative, release him to any executive member of the NBA Garki branch.

According to him, the grounds of the application is in the body of the motion, supported by an affidavit deposed to by one Abu Gabriel.

“In line with the rules of the court, we have filed a written address with the bail motion. He will not jump bail, he will not also interfere with investigation, which has been concluded. We urge the court to grant him bail,” the SAN argued.

The prosecutor, Mr Eristo ASAP, objected to the bail application, arguing that granting Giwa bail may jeopardize the case before the court.

However, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, in his ruling, granted Giwa bail in the sum of N30 million with two sureties – who must not be less than the level of a director, with a valid identity card.

The judge also asked Giwa to deposit his travel document with the registrar of the court.

Despite a letter forwarded by Prof. Awa Kalu to the Inspector-General of Police, formally distancing himself from the allegation of forgery and impersonation against Giwa, the police had gone ahead to press charges against the lawyer.

Victor Giwa, a human rights lawyer, had been detained by the police for about three weeks without being granted bail, reportedly on the orders of the court.

Kalu, in a letter to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, had said his letterhead was never forged and that he had not at anytime lodged any complaint to the police about forgery of his document.

In the letter dated May 30, 2025, Kalu clarified that he neither filed a complaint nor reported Giwa for allegedly forging his firm’s letterhead.

The letter was in response to Charge No. CR/150/25 instituted by the police, in which Giwa is accused of forging the official letterhead of “Awa U. Kalu (SAN) and Partners” — formerly “Awa U. Kalu (SAN) and Associates” — to communicate with the Attorney General of the Federation.

Kalu’s letter to the IGP read: “I wish to inform you that the internet is agog with news that a charge is preferred against the above named gentleman, indicating that he forged my official headed paper.

“Please note that I have neither filed a complaint nor have I incidented a report at any Police Station in Nigeria indicating that Mr. Victor Giwa forged my official headed paper.”

Also, Giwa had in a letter dated 23rd May, 2025, asked the IGP to probe the allegation of financial inducement to charge him to court.

Specifically, Giwa urged the IGP to investigate the Commissioner of Police, Legal Services of the Nigeria Police, Chiozoba Oyakhire Ehiede and Ms Asabe Waziri, for allegedly filing a frivolous charge filed against him and one other.

Alleged police harassment: SAN, 13 lawyers storm court as Victor Giwa gets bail

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Abia Govt moves against rickety vehicles on roads, sets up inspection team

Vehicle Inspection Officers of the Abia State Ministry of Transport have been charged to ensure that every vehicle on Abia roads is safe, roadworthy, and compliant with laws designed to protect lives. Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Ukaegbu, who gave the charge in Umuahia on Tuesday while declaring open a training program for the vehicle inspection
Abia Govt moves against rickety vehicles on roads, sets up inspection team

Vehicle Inspection Officers of the Abia State Ministry of Transport have been charged to ensure that every vehicle on Abia roads is safe, roadworthy, and compliant with laws designed to protect lives.

Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Ukaegbu, who gave the charge in Umuahia on Tuesday while declaring open a training program for the vehicle inspection officers, explained that the training was to equip them with the skills and mindset required to fulfill their roles.

Ukaegbu who urged the officers to apply the knowledge they gathered in the training to save lives, pointed out that millions of Nigerians depend on roads for daily transportation, which entails that standards in road worthiness of vehicles must be upheld.

“You are not just inspecting vehicles, you are safeguarding families, protecting commuters and upholding the standards that keep chaos off our roads.

“You will become the first line of defense against unsafe vehicles. You will be enforcing compliance, but also educating, guiding, and setting an example for all road users,” Ukaegbu said.

He thanked the training team and the departments involved in organizing the programme for their efforts in shaping the officers, and tasked the participants to take pride in their duties.

Abia Govt moves against rickety vehicles on roads, sets up inspection team