Baale held for alleged forgery, destruction of N20m property

Baale held for alleged forgery, destruction of N20m property

Source: The Nation

The police have accused Kayode Ayetiwa, Baale of Ilaje-Bariga in Lagos of forging a court judgment and leading thugs to destroy an 18-room building in his domain valued at N20 million.

Ayetiwa is standing trial before an Igbosere Magistrates' Court in Lagos on a five-count charge of conspiracy, criminal damage, forgery, forcible entry and impersonation.

Prosecuting Inspector Eshiet Eshiet told the court that on March 9, 2012 around 11:30 am, the defendant and others now at large unlawfully entered the 18-room apartment on 35 Rashidi Atokun Street in Abule Okuta, Bariga.

"They threatened violence and maliciously damaged the 18-room apartment valued at N20 million, property of the late Mr. John Nwachukwu," Eshiet alleged.

"They unlawfully forged a court judgment with suit No. ID/274/2011 between Patrick Isanleme and Salami Alli Fafaunke purported to have emanated from the Lagos State Judiciary on 30/11/12."

The prosecutor also claimed that Ayetiwa and the others falsely represented one Mr. Tobi Ademola to be a Court Sheriff from the Lagos State Judiciary.

The offences, he said, contravened Sections 52, 78(b), 363(1)(2)(v) and (w), 337 (1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Ayetiwa denied the charges.

Magistrate A.O. Awogboro granted the defendant bail in self recognition. He ordered that the defendant's address be verified.

The case was adjourned till March 15.
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