On Tuesday, two Abuja-based attorneys, Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola, appeared before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo Division, facing allegations of document forgery and impersonation.
The duo stands accused on a three-count indictment involving criminal conspiracy to commit forgery, false impersonation, and fraudulent execution of documents. Both defendants entered pleas of not guilty to all charges.
The charges stem from an incident dated June 28, 2024, where Giwa and Bukola are alleged to have fabricated a letter on the official letterhead of Awa U. Kalu (SAN). This forged document was purportedly addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
The letter, titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023,” was allegedly intended to persuade the AGF to halt Giwa’s scheduled arraignment before Justice Samira Bature at the FCT High Court, Maitama.
Presiding Judge Jude Onwuegbuzie noted that the case had previously been delayed on September 15, 2025, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant for Giwa’s arrest, after which he was taken into custody.
While Giwa was apprehended, his co-accused, Bukola, had been evading arrest until her presentation before the court on Wednesday.
During the proceedings, Prosecutor Asaph Eristo informed the court that the case was set for arraignment. The charges were formally read aloud, and both Giwa and Bukola maintained their not guilty pleas.
The prosecution moved to have Giwa remanded in custody, emphasizing the necessity to prevent any potential interference with ongoing investigations.
In response, defense counsel Edwin Anikpenu, SAN, petitioned for bail, highlighting that both defendants are practicing lawyers and noting that Bukola is a nursing mother.
Anikpenu also requested permission to amend the bail application orally to include Bukola.
Justice Onwuegbuzie expressed clear dissatisfaction with the defense’s approach, criticizing the oral amendment request despite the presence of over a dozen defense lawyers.
“It is astonishing that a Senior Advocate would resort to an oral application to add a defendant without proper documentation, especially with thirteen lawyers present who failed to file a formal bail application,” the judge remarked sternly.
Consequently, the court denied bail for Bukola, ordering her remand at the Correctional Facility in Suleja, Niger State.
Regarding Giwa’s bail, Anikpenu urged the court to grant release on self-recognition or under the custody of a respected Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) executive from the Garki Branch, assuring the court that Giwa would not obstruct justice.
The prosecution opposed this plea, submitting a counter-affidavit and evidence suggesting Giwa might abscond, especially since public resources were utilized in his arrest.
After considering arguments from both sides, the court granted Giwa bail set at ₦30 million, with two sureties each pledging the same amount. Giwa remains in police custody until the bail conditions are fulfilled.
The sureties must be civil servants at Grade Level 16 or above, residing in Abuja with verifiable addresses and valid identification, including international passports.
The case was adjourned to October 15, 2025, for further hearing.
Also present at the court session were A.A. Askira from the Civil Liberty Committee of the NBA, observing on behalf of the defendants, and Levi Nwonye representing the nominal complainant.
