NAN-H-52
Forgery
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Jan. 23, 2018(NAN) A man, Udodimma Ubah, 30, has appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for alleged forging a Lagos State Residents Agency (LASSRA) identity card to obtain a N2 million loan.
The accused who resides at Satellite Town, Lagos with no stated occupation, is standing trial on a two-count charge of forgery and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, had told the court that the accused committed the offences in August, 2017, at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, (LSETF) Alausa, Ikeja.
He said that the accused forged a LASSRA identity card bearing the name Chizoba Blessing Ubah as a guarantor with intent to obtain N2 million loan from LSETF.
The Lagos State Government in 2016 established LSETF for the purpose of assisting its residents with soft loan to start businesses and grow their existing ones.
Awase said that the accused applied for a loan and was required to submit a filled form with a company registration certificate signed by a guarantor.
“When he came with his guarantor form filled and signed and other document, a loan of N2 million was given to him,” he said.
The prosecutor said that during verification, his guarantor was called and she denied any knowledge of the transaction.
“The supposed guarantor to the accused claimed that she did not have any knowledge of any loan or identity card, Awase said.
He told the court that it was later discovered that the accused forged the LASSRA identity card and the guarantor’s signature.
Awase said it was based on the discovery that the accused was arrested and handed over to the police.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 363(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 363 stipulates three years imprisonment for forgery.
The accused however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mr J.A. Adigun, admitted the accused to a bail of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Adigun said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos state government.
The case was adjourned until Jan. 31 for mention. (NAN)
DOA/MNA/EMO
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Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Ejike Obeta