The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has adjourned until October 28 the trial of a lawyer, Everestus Ugwuowo, and three others over allegations of defrauding a woman of N29 million and forging documents to sell an Abuja house.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu adjourned the matter due to the court’s busy schedule.
The inspector general of police had sued Mr Ugwuowo, Umar Sanda Adamu, Usman Audu and Adole Christopher Oche, an employee of the Bureau of Public Procurement, as first to fourth defendants, respectively.
The amended 11-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/121/2018 was dated and filed by ACP Simon Lough on April 29, 2019.
Arraigned in 2018 and granted bail, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge. They allegedly committed the allegations in connivance with Damian Audu, Joseph Omale, and Kingsley Awodi, now at large, on or about September 2017 in Abuja.
Upon resumed trial, the prosecution counsel, Mr Lough, informed the court that the matter was slated for continuation of trial, and their second prosecution witness (PW-2), Grace Dauda, was in court.
“We are ready for trial,” he said.
The defendants’ lawyers, including Patrick Otsima and Ebuka Aneke-Agu, equally indicated their readiness to proceed with trial. However, Justice Egwuatu said due to the court’s busy schedule, the evidence of the PW-2 would not be taken.
Upon agreement of counsel, the matter was subsequently adjourned until October 28 and 31 for continuation of trial.
The first prosecution witness (PW-1), Ismaila Bana, an in-law to the nominal complainant, had, on May 30, given his evidence in the criminal charge and was cross-examined by the defence lawyers.
In count one, Mr Ugwuowo was alleged to have conspired with others to commit a felony by obtaining money under false pretence and thereby committed the offence contrary to Section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.
In count two of the charge, they were alleged to have, while acting in concert and with intent to defraud Gracce Dauda, forged letters of authority to sale, consent to assign House 11, 62 Road, Gwarimpa Estate with number FHA/OCE/GWA II OWU C, irrevocable power of attorney and deed of assignment.
The letters were purported to have been signed by Grema Mohammed Umar with three Federal Housing Authority (FHA) receipts, a letter of offer, a letter of allocation, and a letter of checking in of owner-occupiers regarding the house.
These were alleged to have been used to deceitfully collect N29 million from Ms Dauda on the pretence that they had authority to sell the property.
“And having collected her money, you shared it among yourselves when you know or had reason to believe that you do not have the authority to sell the house, and all the documents you gave to her were forged. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006,” the court document said.
In count 10, the lawyer was accused of having issued Ms Dauda a UBA dud cheque number 77703052 on December 1, 2017, for N29 million “in repayment of the money you deceitfully collected from her” which was presented for payment on December 6, 2017, and “returned dishonoured for lack of sufficient funds in your account.
(NAN)