The Lagos High Court, sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has issued a bench warrant against a Lagos-based defendant, Ibukun Fakaye, following his alleged failure to appear before the court to answer charges of forgery and fraud of N100 million.
The Police, through the Office of the Inspector-General (IGP), dragged the defendant before the court on a two-count charge marked LD/18274c/2022.
Justice Serifat Sonaike issued the bench warrant following an application by prosecution counsel Morufu Animashaun, a Legal Officer in the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID).
Animashaun told the court that the defendant, a resident of D. 16, Ekoland, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, had consistently refused to appear before the court since the charge was filed and served on him.
According to him, without an order of court for the arrest of the defendant, he would never attend court to take his plea on the charges.
Justice Sonaike, after granting the application, adjourned till September 21, 2022, for the defendant’s arraignment.
Animashaun alleged in the charge that the defendant, sometime in January this year, forged the signature of one Late Honourable S. A. Banjo, the Family Head of the Oguntade Royal family and the family’s letterhead, with the intent that it may be used or acted upon as genuine.
The defendant was also accused of stealing the sum of N100 million belonging to the Oguntade Royal family.
The offences according to the prosecution, contravened sections 361(1)(a) and 278(1)(b) and were punishable under sections 363(3)(a) and 285(5)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
