The Nigerian Police Force has arraigned Abuja-based legal practitioner, Victor Giwa, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, over allegations bordering on forgery and impersonation.
According to a three-count charge marked CR/150/25 and filed by the Inspector General of Police, Giwa and a co-defendant identified as Bukola are accused of conspiring to forge an official document purportedly issued by the chambers of Chief Awa Kalu (SAN), with the aim of deceiving the Attorney General of the Federation.
The charge states that the alleged forgery occurred on June 28, 2024.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants fabricated and signed a letter on the official letterhead of Awa U. Kalu (SAN), appealing to the AGF to halt a court proceeding.
The document in question, titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023”, was reportedly directed to the AGF. It appeared to originate from the SAN’s chambers and called for intervention to stop Giwa’s scheduled arraignment before Hon. Justice Bature of the High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on July 2, 2024.
The letter argued that the charges should be dropped in the interest of “natural justice, equity, and fair play.”
Giwa, alongside property developer Cecil Osakwe and others, is facing a separate nine-count charge involving alleged illegal eviction, criminal intimidation, threats to life, and destruction of property estimated at N300 million.
The fresh charges against Giwa and Bukola include conspiracy to commit forgery and impersonation (contrary to Section 97 of the Penal Code Act, 2004), dishonest execution of a fraudulent document (Section 364), and false personation of a legal practitioner (Section 179).
The prosecution is being led by Rabiu U. Usman, Esq., from the Legal/Prosecution Section on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.
At the court session on Monday before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court in Apo, the arraignment was delayed due to the absence of both defendants.
Counsel for the prosecution, J.K. Kolawole, appeared on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, while U.J. Udo represented the defence.
Udo informed the court that the first defendant, Giwa, had travelled to his hometown for the burial of his sister, stating that he was bereaved. He therefore requested that the court grant an adjournment.
Justice Onwuegbuzie accepted the explanation and adjourned the matter to September 15, 2025, for arraignment. However, he cautioned that “no further excuses would be entertained at the next sitting.”
