The Federal Government has charged First Bank of Nigeria Ltd, its managing director, and three other individuals with forgery. The charge sheet filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is designated CR/266/2023 and contains two attorneys, Muftau Ande and Dibiaezue Chuks, as well as the Utako Branch Manager of First Bank, Abuja.
The five defendants were accused, among other things, of forging a “tripartite legal mortgage without the approval of the proprietor of Whiteplain British School, Mr Francis Chukwumah Nwufor, with purpose to commit fraud,” according to the charge sheet submitted by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The offenders were also accused of defrauding Nwufor of his property by forging a tripartite legal mortgage.
The prosecution stated that the defendants plotted to fake a tripartite legal mortgage without the approval of the proprietor of Whiteplain British School, Mr. Francis Chukwumah Nwufor, sometime in 2016, within the jurisdiction of the court, with the intent to commit fraud.
In the first count, the defendants were charged with forgery and criminal conspiracy in violation of Criminal Code articles 96 and 363.
Additionally, the prosecution claimed that the defendants committed a criminal breach of trust in violation of Penal Code Section 311 and that they are punishable under Penal Code Section 312.
The defendants were accused on the third count of dishonestly dispossessing Nwufor of his property while being entrusted with the tripartite legal mortgage.
As the prosecution counsel, Ndidi Ezinwa-Ukoha, stated that all defendants had yet to be served with the charge, Judge Jude Onwuegbuzie postponed the case to May 8 for arraignment.
When reached, Ismail Omamegbe, a First Bank spokeswoman, said he would speak with the bank’s legal staff and get back to our reporter.
