EFCC Arraigns Octogenarian Over Forgery

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on June 26, 2012, arraigned the duo of Adolphus Reuben, 80, and Miguel Enwerem before Justice Suleiman.B. Belgore of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory , Abuja , on a 19 count charge of forgery. The offence is punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

The suspects were alleged to have forged a Corporate Affairs Commission document, Form CAC7, in the name of Ideal Travel Agency Limited and used same as genuine sometime in October, 2010.
When the charges were read to the accused persons, they all pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Counsel to the first accused person, J.O.Obono-Obla moved a motion asking the court to grant the accused bail. The application supported by a ten paragraph affidavit, urged the court to consider the age of the accused person and the fact that he has been on administrative bail since February, 2011, assuring that he will not jump bail.

Counsel to the second accused person, E.T.Bukar, who aligned with Obono-Obla urged to court to exercise its discretion in favour of his client, assuring that he will not jump bail.
The prosecution counsel, Mammud Bello raised no objection to the bail application by the accused persons.
After listening to both counsel, the Judge granted the accused bail in the sum of five million naira each and two sureties in like sum. The sureties, the judge said must be a civil servant not below the rank of a level seven officer.

Count six of the nineteen count charge reads:
“That you Adolphus Reuben, Miguel Enwerem and others at large on or about the 18^th of October, 2010 at Abuja in the Abuja judicial division of the high court of the federal capital territory made a false General Title Form ‘A’ of the High Court of the federal capital territory in the name of one Enwerem Evan and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 364 of the penal code Act cap 532 laws of the federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 2004”.

The case has been adjoined to 24^th and 25^thOctober, 2012 for hearing.