ABUJA-BASED LAWYER ARRAIGNED FOR FORGERY AND IMPERSONATION, CASE ADJOURNED TO SEPTEMBER

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa has been arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, on charges of forgery and impersonation, in a case involving allegations of professional misconduct and attempted manipulation of legal proceedings.

The three-count charge, marked CR/150/25 and filed by the Inspector General of Police, accuses Giwa and his co-defendant, Bukola, of conspiring to forge a legal document purportedly issued from the chambers of renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Awa Kalu, with the intent to deceive the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

According to the prosecution, the offence occurred on June 28, 2024. Giwa and Bukola are alleged to have authored and signed a letter—bearing the official letterhead of Awa U. Kalu (SAN)—appealing to the AGF to suspend Giwa’s arraignment on a previous charge (CR/222/2023) scheduled for July 2, 2024. The forged letter described the charges against Giwa as unjust and urged intervention in the name of “natural justice, equity, and fair play.”

Giwa, who is also facing separate charges alongside property developer Cecil Osakwe, is accused of illegal eviction, criminal intimidation, threats to life, and property damage amounting to N300 million.

The charges against Giwa and Bukola include conspiracy to commit forgery and impersonation (under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act), execution of a fraudulent document (Section 364), and false personation of a legal practitioner (Section 179). The case is being prosecuted by Rabiu U. Usman on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.

At the scheduled arraignment before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie on Monday, proceedings were stalled due to the absence of both defendants. Defense counsel U.J. Udo informed the court that Giwa was bereaved and had travelled to his hometown for his sister’s burial. He requested an adjournment.

Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request and adjourned the matter to September 15, 2025, warning that no further delays would be tolerated.