A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Jabi, Abuja, remanded Prof. Sani Ibrahim in the Correctional Service for conspiracy, “forgery and criminal trespass”.
Ibrahim, a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Mr. Mubarak Musa Saliu; and others (at large) are currently on trial before the court.
They were arraigned by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, in a 4-count charge over a plot of land in Guzape, Abuja, belonging to Nextdora Nig. Ltd., with RC. No: 1190723.
Parts of the charge read, “That you, Mubarak Musa Saliu ‘M’ of S/O Williams Utako, Abuja, Prof. Sani Ibrahim ‘M’ of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and others now at large, sometimes in December, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a felony to wit: forgery and criminal trespass, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act.
“That you, Mubarak Musa Saliu ‘M’ of S/O Williams Utako, Abuja, Prof. Sani Ibrahim ‘M’ of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and others now at large, sometimes in December, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently and dishonestly used as genuine, a document by changing the RC. No of Nextdora Ltd, from RC. 1190723 to RC. 564478 Netcap Interswitch, which you knew or have reason to believe to be a forged document and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act.
“That you, Mubarak Musa Saliu ‘M’ of S/O Williams Utako, Abuja, Prof. Sani Ibrahim ‘M’ of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and others now at large, sometimes in December, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession a forged document wherein the RC. No of Nextdora Ltd was changed from RC. 1190723 to RC. 564478 NETCAP INTERSWITCH, knowing the same to be forged and intending that the same shall fraudulently or dishonestly be used as genuine and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 368 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act.
“That you, Mubarak Musa Saliu ‘M’ of S/O Williams Utako, Abuja, Prof. Sani Ibrahim ‘M’ of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and others now at large, on December 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority, entered into PLOT NO 4411 Guzape, Abuja, belonging to Nextdora Nig Ltd, with intent to commit an offence. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 348 of the Penal Code Act”, the charges read.
The suspects were arraigned before Justice Ademuyiwa Oyeyipo yesterday, after the defendants failed to appear in court on three consecutive adjourned dates.
Prof. Ibrahim, the second defendant in the criminal suit, has been evading appearance in court for two previous sessions after being served by the Nigeria Police Force. On the court’s order, the police visited ABU Zaria and arrested him for arraignment today.
He, however, pleaded not guilty, when the charge was read to him in court.
His Counsel, Reuben Atabo (SAN), filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection dated 20 May 2025, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The 2nd Defendant’s Counsel also faulted the perceived discrepancies in the Seal of the Prosecution Counsel and his name. He asked the court to strike out the charge for incompetence and lack of jurisdiction.
He said in his objection,
“That the said charge is purportedly signed by one F.A.O Longe, Esq, whilst the seal of legal practitioners embossed thereon is that of Longe Frank Omokhoje.
“That by the combined effect of the provisions of Sections 2(1) & 24 of the Legal Practitioners Act and the decision of the Apex Court in Yaki Vs. Bagudu (2015) 18 NWLR (PT. 1491) 288, the charge is null and void in law for NOT being signed by a legal practitioner known to law.
“That the said Counts 1 & 4 are incompetent because the 2nd Defendant is protected by Section 47 of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532, in that he acted under the lawful orders of this Honourable Court”, the Preliminary Objection read in part.
Having replied to the law, the presiding Judge dismissed the Preliminary Objection.
Although the Defendant’s Counsel made an oral application for bail for Prof. Ibrahim on Tuesday, the Prosecution Counsel, Barr Frank Longe, swiftly objected.
In his ruling, Justice Oyeyipo remanded Prof. Ibrahim in Correctional facilities until 19 June 2025 for a hearing, pending the filing and debate of a proper bail application.
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