Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has scheduled March 11 for the arraignment of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and three other defendants over allegations of forgery and mortgage fraud.
The defendants include Okogun Polycarp, Batik Line International Limited, and Bolaji Adebajo. The court fixed the date after the accused individuals failed to appear for trial.
Counsel for the Police Special Fraud Unit, Daniel Apochi, informed the court that the defendants had been notified of their arraignment. However, due to their absence, the prosecution sought an adjournment to enable the court sheriff to serve them officially.
The Special Fraud Unit has filed a four-count charge against the defendants, accusing them of conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery, and fraudulent conversion, in violation of Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
According to the prosecution, between 2008 and 2009, the defendants allegedly conspired to forge the signature of one Mrs. Grace Adenike Akinwusi on multiple legal documents, including an authority to create a legal mortgage, a deed of assignment, an irrevocable power of attorney, and a memorandum of understanding. These forged documents were purportedly used to fraudulently convert her property at No. 5B, Sasegbon Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
The second count charges the defendants with forgery, contravening Sections 363(1)(a), (b), and 368(3)(d) of the Lagos State Criminal Law. The third count alleges the fraudulent use of false documents under Section 366(1).
The fourth count accuses FCMB and the other defendants of theft, under Sections 280(1)(6), 280(1)(2), and 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law. They allegedly stole the property at No. 5B, Sasegbon Street by dishonestly converting it for personal use through forged documents.
The case is set for arraignment on March 11.
