Lagos court arraigns microfinance bank staff for alleged forgery

A 37-year-old staff member of a microfinance bank, Henry Nwoko, was on Friday arraigned before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over allegations of forging a letter of non-indebtedness.

Nwoko is facing a two-count charge of alleged forgery and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

He pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before the court.

Prosecuting counsel, ASP Simon Njue, told the court that the alleged offences were committed in February at Advance Microfinance Bank, located along Egbeda-Idimu Road in Lagos.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant allegedly prepared and issued a letter of non-indebtedness in the name of the bank to a customer without obtaining the institution’s authorisation.

Njue further alleged that the defendant’s actions were capable of disturbing public peace.

He told the court that the alleged offences contravene Sections 365 and 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Under the provisions of the law, forgery attracts a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment upon conviction, while conduct likely to cause a breach of peace carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison.

After listening to the submissions, Magistrate F.R. Ogunkoyode admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1.5 million with two responsible sureties.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until August 11 for mention.