LAND GRABBING: Alleged Forgery Case Against Lawyer, Uwangue and Another Suffers Further Set Back.

By Lucky Isibor.

The case of alleged forgery of land documents prefered against a Benin based legal practitioner, Smart Agbonlahor Esq, Osaigbovo Uwangue and another at the Ogbeson Magistrate Court 2, Benin City by the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police, today suffered another set back as the matter was again adjoined at the instance of the presecution. 

It would be recalled that when the case came up for hearing on the 24th of August, it was adjoined at the instance of the prosecution to the 13th of September, following the inability of the prosecution to provide the necessary documents to prove its case.

When the case  came up for hearing today, 13th September, 2021 at Ogbeson Magistrate Court 2, Agbor Park, Benin City, the Police Prosecutor Inspector, Charity Asemota told the court that the nominal complainant has lost his mother and subsequently called for adjournment to 5th October, 2021.

During today's sitting when the trial Magistrate called for the day’s proceedings, Counsel to the Defence told the court that the proof of evidence which was served on them by the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Charity Asemota on the last adjournment date was incomplete, that the prosecutor did not include their witnesses which they ought to.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Charity Asemota thereafter served the defense team the new proof of evidence which the defense team said they have to look at before they will respond.

The Police Prosecutor also pleaded with the court for an adjournment based on the absence of the nominal complainant who she said was bereaved; that he lost the mother and needed time to get to him to be in court.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Mutairu Oare adjourned the matter at the instance of the prosecution to the 5th of October, 2021 for continuation of the prosecution’s case.

Mr. Agbonlahor is alleged to have forged a landed document bearing the Oba of Benin’s approval belonging to a Europe based Nigerian as well as power of Attorney.

The said Oba’s approval was the document attached to a matter filed by Mr. Smart Agbonlahor for his client who had given him the power of attorney to do so on his behalf at the High Court.

However, the complainant at the lower court moved the police to arrest and arraign the legal practitioner on allegation that the document was forged.     

Also arraigned alongside Mr. Agbonlahor was Mr. Osaigbovo Uwangue who had offered to give evidence in the High Court  that the owner of the land for which Mr. Agbonlahor was exercising the Power of Attorney actually owned the land.

The civil action at the High Court has been on since 2017 and was being heard by the late Justice Morrison Ighodalo until his demise.

For the 2nd Defendant, his counsel, Mr. I. Egwuakun said his client was joined and charged to court because he vouched that the owner of the property was known to him for over thirty years as a neighbour.

Hearing on the matter resumes on the 5th October, 2021 for continuation of the prosecution’s case.