ALLEGED MORTGAGE FRAUD: COURT FIXES MARCH 11 FOR ARRAIGNMENT OF FCMB, THREE OTHERS

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A Lagos State Special Offences Court has scheduled March 11 for the arraignment of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and three co-defendants over allegations of forgery and mortgage fraud.

The accused individuals in the case are Okogun Polycarp, Batik Line International Limited, and Bolaji Adebajo. The defendants were absent from court on Tuesday, prompting Justice Ismail Ijelu to adjourn the proceedings and set a new date for their arraignment. The court also instructed the sheriff to serve the accused parties with official notices.

Police Counsel Daniel Apochi, representing the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), informed the court that the defendants had been notified of their scheduled appearance. Despite this, the prosecution requested a postponement to facilitate the proper serving of summons.

The SFU has filed a four-count charge against the defendants, accusing them of conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery, fraudulent conversion, and theft, in violation of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The charges stem from an alleged conspiracy between 2008 and 2009 to forge the signature of Mrs. Grace Adenike Akinwusi on key legal documents. These documents, including an authority to create a legal mortgage and a deed of assignment, were allegedly used to fraudulently take control of Akinwusi’s property at 5B Sasegbon Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

The prosecution further accuses the defendants of theft by dishonestly converting the property for personal gain using forged documents.

The case will resume on March 11, when the defendants are expected to appear for their formal arraignment.