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, who are facing a three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy to commit forgery, false personation, and fraudulent execution of documents, pleaded not guilty to all the charges
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences were committed on June 28, 2024, when Giwa and Bukola allegedly 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 FCT 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 on Wednesday.
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 the 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 that 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, indicating he remains in police custody till he perfects its conditions.
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 at the court sitting were A.A. Askira of the Civil Liberty Committee of NBA watching briefs for the defendant and Levi Nwonye for the nominal complainant.
