The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Thursday began hearing in the trial of Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola, who are facing charges of alleged forgery and impersonation.
The duo appeared before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie on accusations of forging official documents and impersonating a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa Kalu, to deceive the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) into withdrawing criminal charges against Giwa pending before another FCT High Court in Maitama.
At the resumed proceedings, prosecution counsel, F.G. Gabriel, called the first prosecution witness (PW1), a resident of Maitama, Abuja, who narrated a series of events that transpired between June 28 and July 8, 2024.
The witness told the court that she had bought a property from a developer, Cecil Osakwe, in February 2021, fully paid for it, and took possession. She alleged that Osakwe later attempted to reclaim the property after its value rose, a pattern she claimed was consistent with his dealings.
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According to PW1, Osakwe petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in September 2021, but the case was dismissed after she provided proof of payment. Subsequently, Osakwe filed a civil suit against her, after which she received a letter dated December 21, 2021, purportedly from Giwa, ordering her to vacate her home within 14 days or face forceful eviction.
“True to his threat, he led armed thugs and some policemen, now at large, who broke into my home and forcefully ejected me and my wards under the guise of executing a purported court judgment,” she recounted.
She said the matter was later escalated to the AGF’s office, which filed a nine-count charge against Giwa, including illegal eviction, malicious damage, disconnection of essential services, and mischief.
PW1 told the court that Giwa was scheduled for arraignment on July 2, 2024, but allegedly forged a letter to the AGF, impersonating Awa Kalu (SAN), to request the withdrawal of the charges.
She said she discovered the letter online on July 8, 2024, and forwarded it to her lawyer, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, who doubted its authenticity due to noticeable grammatical and spelling errors. Upon verification, Kalu’s chambers confirmed that the letter did not emanate from him and that the second defendant, Bukola, whose NBA seal appeared on the document, had never worked at the firm.
PW1 said she then petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), leading to an investigation by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).
“Had I not exposed the forgery,” she said, “the AGF might have been misled into withdrawing the nine-count charge against the first defendant, resulting in a grave miscarriage of justice.”
She further alleged that Giwa still retains possession of her property and belongings seized during the alleged illegal eviction of March 18, 2022.
The court admitted her written statement to the police as Exhibit 1A after no objection was raised by defence counsel, Ogbu Aboje, who represents the second defendant. Giwa represented himself.
Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case to November 12, 2025, for cross-examination of the witness.
