- Two Abuja lawyers, Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola, were arraigned before the FCT High Court on forgery and impersonation charges.
- The lawyers allegedly forged a letter using the name and letterhead of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Awa Kalu, to influence the Attorney General.
- Both defendants pleaded not guilty, but the court refused bail for Bukola.
- Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ordered that Bukola be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre while Giwa’s arraignment continues.
Two Abuja-based lawyers, Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola, were on Tuesday arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo Division, over allegations of forgery and impersonation involving the use of a forged legal document to influence the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
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The two lawyers are facing a three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, false personation, and fraudulent execution of documents. Both pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged crime occurred on June 28, 2024, when Giwa and Bukola reportedly forged a letter using the official letterhead of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Awa Kalu, and addressed it to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). The forged letter allegedly urged the AGF to stop Giwa’s arraignment before Justice Samira Bature of the Maitama High Court.
The case, which is now before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, had earlier been delayed on September 15, 2025, prompting the court to issue a bench warrant against Giwa, who was later apprehended.
During the court session, prosecution counsel Asaph Eristo confirmed that the matter was scheduled for arraignment and that both defendants had been formally charged. Eristo requested that Giwa be remanded in prison to prevent possible interference with the ongoing investigation.
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However, defence counsel Edwin Anikpenu (SAN) opposed the request, stating that both defendants are practising lawyers and that Bukola is a nursing mother. He sought to include her in the bail application through an oral amendment, but the judge criticised the defence for not filing a formal motion despite having over a dozen lawyers in attendance.
Justice Onwuegbuzie refused bail for Bukola and ordered her remand at the Suleja Correctional Facility in Niger State pending further hearing on the matter.
