Two Abuja-based lawyers, Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola, were on Tuesday arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo Division, on charges of alleged forgery and impersonation. The duo are facing a three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy to commit forgery, false personation, and fraudulent execution of documents. According to the charge sheet, the offences were allegedly committed on June 28, 2024, when Giwa and Bukola purportedly forged a letter using the official letterhead of Awa U. Kalu (SAN) and addressed it to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). The forged document, titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023,” allegedly sought to influence the AGF to halt Giwa’s scheduled arraignment before Justice Samira Bature of the FCT High Court, Maitama. The case, presided over by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, was previously stalled on September 15, 2025, leading to a bench warrant for Giwa’s arrest. His co-defendant, Bukola, who had been at large, appeared in court for the first time on Tuesday. During proceedings, Prosecution Counsel Asaph Eristo informed the court that the session was for arraignment. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Eristo urged the court to remand the defendants to prevent interference with ongoing investigations. However, Edwin Anikpenu, SAN, counsel to the defence, applied for bail, arguing that both defendants are legal practitioners and that Bukola is a nursing mother. He sought to orally amend Giwa’s existing bail application to include Bukola. Justice Onwuegbuzie expressed displeasure at the oral request, criticising the defence team for failing to file a formal bail application despite being represented by over a dozen lawyers. “It is shocking that a lawyer, a Senior Advocate, would come with an oral application and attempt to add another defendant without documentation. With 13 lawyers present, none deemed it fit to file a proper bail application,” the judge remarked. The court subsequently refused bail for Bukola and ordered that she be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Facility in Niger State. Regarding Giwa, the defence urged the court to grant bail on self-recognition or release him to a senior member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Garki Branch. The prosecution opposed the request, claiming Giwa posed a flight risk and that public funds were used to effect his arrest. After hearing both sides, Justice Onwuegbuzie granted Victor Giwa bail in the sum of ₦30 million, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be civil servants not below Grade Level 16, reside in Abuja, possess valid ID cards, and submit their international passports. The case was adjourned to October 15, 2025, for continuation of trial. Also present in court were A.A. Askira of the Civil Liberty Committee of the NBA, who watched briefs for the defendants, and Levi Nwonye, Esq., representing the nominal complainant.
