Court Sentences Fake Surety to 22 Years Imprisonment
A fake surety, Ibikunle John Olusakin, has been convicted and sentenced to 22 years imprisonment by Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Justice Idris sentenced the convict after pronouncing him guilty of the five-count charge of perverting cause of justice, making false statements, conspiracy and forgery levelled against him by the Legal Department of State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti-Yaba, Lagos.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Inspector Goddy Osuyi, are contrary to and punishable under sections 516, 467, 117, 126, 145, and 179 of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38 Laws of the Federation, and Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) of 2015.
The convict who was charged before the court in a suit marked FHC/L/4013c/2016, had earlier pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge when he was first arraigned before the court sometimes in 2016.
However, at the last hearing of the case, the convict admitted committing all the offences and consequently changed his plea.
Upon changing of the plea, Justice Idris ordered the prosecutor to review the fact of the matter.
In reviewing the fact of the matter on Monday, the prosecutor, Inspector Osuyi informed the court that the convict in January 24, 2014, while standing surety to one Emmanuel Nweke, who was charged before Justice Mohammed Yunusa (now on compulsory retirement), on charges bordering on unlawful importation and possession of prohibited firearms.
Osuyi told the court that in securing Nweke’s bail, the convict had presented several forged documents which included: University of Lagos (UNILAG) degree certificate dated March 3,1982; National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate number A815994, dated September 4, 1983; a Lagos State Government Confirmation of Appointment letter dated October 16, 1989.
Other forged documents allegedly tendered by the accused including: Lagos State Government offer of Appointment to the post if Primary Class Teacher dated August 12, 1985; Lagos State Government Educational District 2 letter dated April 4, 2011 and Lagos State Government Staff Identify Card.
Osuyi informed the court that all documents presented by the convict were in the name of one Aderonmu Ayinde Tajudeen.
The prosecutor further told the court that convict also made false statement on oath as to his real names, address, relationship with the said Emmanuel Tochukwu Nweke, his annual income, occupation, and place of work.
He also informed the court that after the convict secured Nweke’s bail with all he presented to court, Nweke jumped bail, and upon investigation, it was discovered that all documents presented by the convict were forged, and that he has no relationship with Nweke.
Osuyi also told the court that it took the joint security agencies, which comprises the police, civil defence corps, DSS and others, two years to get the accused arrested.
He therefore urged the court to convict and sentence the accused accordingly.
Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Idris pronounced the accused guilty as charged and sentenced him to seven years, three years, and seven in respect of court one, two and three counts.
He sentenced to three years, one and a half years, and six months in respect of counts four, five and six respectively.
Justice Idris however ordered that the terms of the sentence are to run concurrently.
The judge after sentencing the convict, warned those who engage in the act, as he said they would all soon be caught by the long arm of the law.
