IGP Files 106 Charges Against 24 Persons Accused Of Forgery At Police College

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has filed 106 charges against some youths accused of forgery while seeking employment with the Nigerian Police Force.

S. Jonathan and 23 others were on Monday arraigned at a federal high court sitting in Abuja on 106 count charges bordering on alleged forgery and impersonation.

The defendants were dragged before Justice Inyang Ekwo but they all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Some of the charges filed by the prosecution counsel, M.O. Omosu partly read :

“That you… sometimes between 2018 to 2020 at the Nigeria Police College Borno, being bound by law to state the truth, did swear on oath, and gave an information that is false and as such committed an offense punishable by law.

“That you…on the same date and place, did assume the name, designation of police officers, and thereby committed an offense punishable by Section 42 of the Police Act…”

S.G. Shittu was counsel for the 1st to 8th defendants, while Shaidu Jubril stood in for the 9th to 16th defendants.

Adam Sani Ugwanyi was the counsel for 17th to 24th defendants while the National Human Rights Commission’s lawyer was Mariam Kadril.

After taking the plea of the defendants, Justice Ekwo asked the prosecution how long the defendant had being in custody.

The prosecution responded that they’ve been in custody since July but added that “we urge that the defendants be remanded at the correctional center.”

On his part, S.G. Shittu told the judge that “in the interim we have an application for the bail of 1 to 8 defendants.”

But Justice Ekwo asked him to apply formally adding he would not mind leaving next week’s court vacation to hear it.

Subsequently, Ekwo adjourned the trial to 25,26,27 of January, 2021 but ordered that the defendants be remanded on the condition they would get medical attention.

“Assemble your witnesses on the next date of trials.

“I’m going to give you three days for continuation of trial… 25,26,27 of January, 2021

“They will be remanded but on the condition that they be given medical attention,” he said.

Speaking with the press, Shittu said he would file the bail application on time, in a bid to get the defendants released.

“My Lord is deposed to come out of his vacation to even hear the application for bail.

“The prosecution filed 106 count charges against 24 defendants and as you can see, all of them pleaded not guilty,” he said.