A 48-year-old man, Abiodun Musiliu, was on Wednesday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly forging documents and signature, and claiming to be the Oba of Epe.
The defendant is facing a two-count charge of forgery and being in possession of fraudulent documents.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Roman Unuigbe, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Aug. 12, at Eredo area of Epe in Lagos State.
According to him, the defendant forged letters and signature in the name of Eredo ruling house, claiming to be the sitting Oba.
He said that the stool of Oba Orijeru of Igbooye Eredo in Epe, had been vacant for a while.
He said that despite that, the defendant was writing fake letters and peddling forged documents to get the position’s benefits.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 320, 362 (1) (b) and 365 (3) (n) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 365 (3) (n) stipulates a seven-year jail term for the offence of forgery, while Section 320 provides two years for possession of fraudulent documents.
Chief Magistrate Adeola Adedayo granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She directed that the sureties must be residing within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Adedayo adjourned the case until Oct. 26 for mention.
