The police in Abuja has arraigned an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Henry Onyinyechi Nwosu and a Pastor, Jonathan Onuoha, before the Chief Magistrate Court One for forgery.
The defendants appeared before the Magistrate Muinat Oyekan-led court over alleged conspiracy and forgery of documents of a plot of land located at Zone 6, Dutse Alhaji District of Abuja.
It was learnt that the property that was dubiously claimed by the two defendants belong to a retired Director of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Mr Royson Obijuru.
On behalf of the land owner, another Abuja lawyer, Gbenga Adeyemi filed the criminal charge in court.
They pleaded not guilty to the offence when the charge was read to them.
They were granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 each and two sureties each in the like sums, even though their plea was opposed by the prosecution counsel, Olaolu Alao.
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Magistrate Oyekan said the sureties must be residents in the jurisdiction of the Court and must also be Civil Servants not below Grade Level 16.
Furthermore, the Court ordered that the sureties swear to an affidavit of means while the two accused persons are to be moved to prison custody on remand pending the time they perfect their bail conditions.
There was, however, drama in the court when counsel to the arraigned lawyer, Mr C.O Adie engaged the wife of the nominal complainant, Mrs Oluwatayo Adeyemi in a physical fight.
The scuffle lasted for two minutes before the woman could be rescued from him.
In the end, the woman was battered in the face with injuries and the matter reported at the Zone 3 Divisional Police Station from where she was moved to Wuse General Hospital for treatment.
Earlier, counsel to the Pastor and second defendant in the charge, Emmanuel Onuoha, had challenged the authorities of the newsmen to cover the arraignment of his client.
Onuoha protested to Magistrate Oyekan who directed newsmen to move out of the Court premises to do their job since they did not obtain permission to cover the arraignment.
All explanations by the Journalists indicating they did not need any order to cover a court sitting were rebuffed, prompting them to comply as directed by the Magistrate.
Meanwhile, the Court has fixed June 7 for all pending motions in respect of the charge and continuation of trial.