Abuja Lawyer, Associate Face Trial for Alleged Forgery and Impersonation

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, on Thursday, began the trial of an Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, and his associate, Ibitade Bukola, over allegations of forgery and impersonation.

The two defendants are accused of forging official documents and pretending to be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Awa Kalu, in an attempt to deceive the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation into dropping criminal charges filed against Giwa at another FCT High Court in Maitama.

During the court session, the prosecution counsel, F. G. Gabriel, presented the first prosecution witness, a resident of Maitama, who narrated events that took place between June 28 and July 8, 2024.

The witness explained that she purchased a property from a developer, Cecil Osakwe, in February 2021 and took full possession after payment. However, she claimed that Osakwe later tried to reclaim the property after its value increased.

The witness said that Osakwe petitioned the EFCC in September 2021, but the petition was dismissed after she proved ownership of the property. Later, Osakwe reportedly filed a civil case against her. According to her, she received a letter in December 2021, allegedly from Giwa, instructing her to vacate her home within two weeks or face eviction.

She recounted that the lawyer led some individuals, including armed men and policemen, to forcefully eject her and her children from the property under the pretense of executing a court order. The matter was then reported to the Attorney-General’s office, which filed a nine-count charge against Giwa for illegal eviction, property damage, and other offenses.

The witness told the court that Giwa allegedly forged a letter addressed to the Attorney-General, using Awa Kalu’s name and signature, to request the withdrawal of the charges. She said she discovered the fake letter online and reported it to her lawyer, who contacted Kalu’s chambers for verification.

The chambers confirmed that the letter was fake and that Bukola, whose NBA seal appeared on the document, was not an employee there.The witness said she later petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, leading to an investigation by the Force Criminal Investigation Department.

She also claimed that Giwa still has possession of her property and belongings taken during the eviction in March 2022.Her written statement to the police was admitted as evidence by the court. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case until November 12, 2025, for cross-examination.