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‎A businessman, Aliyu Mohammed, was on Wednesday arraigned in a Dutse Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja, for allegedly forging land documents.
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‎The police charged Mohammed with criminal trespass, using forged documents as genuine and false personation, contrary to the provisions of Sections 348, 366, 140 and 179 of the Penal Code Law.
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‎The Prosecution Counsel,Juliana Atinko, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on January 20, 2025, at Plot 991, Dei-Dei, Kubwa, Abuja.
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‎Ms Atinko said the defendant allegedly used false information and forged documents, including conveyance of provisional approval, revenue receipts, a technical drawing plan and a letter of regulation of land titles.
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‎She said the documents purportedly issued by Bwari Area Council related to plots A132 and A133 were in favour of Gaskiya Naworori and Tijjani Musa, respectively.
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‎The prosecutor alleged that the defendant intended to mislead police officers and other public servants into acting on the documents.
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‎The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
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‎Ms Atinko asked the court to adjourn the matter for hearing, but opposed the defendant’s bail application, arguing that he might interfere with the course of justice and tamper with evidence.
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‎The Defence Counsel, Naomi Abang, applied for bail pursuant to Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and Section 35(5) of the 1999 Constitution.
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‎She assured the court that the defendant would not jump bail and had reasonable and reliable sureties.
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‎The Chief Magistrate, Abdullahi, Ilelah held that bail was discretionary and that the discretion must be exercised judicially and judiciously.
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‎He said the purpose of bail was to ensure the defendant’s attendance at trial.
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‎Ilelah admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million with one reasonable surety in like sum.
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‎The magistrate adjourned the matter until October 14 for hearing.