Abuja court remands professor in prison after evading court appearance at previous seatings
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Sani Ibrahim, a professor, has been remanded in prison over alleged conspiracy, “forgery and criminal trespass” in a case Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun filed against him at a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja.
Ibrahim, of the department of biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; Mubarak Musa Saliu; and others (at large) are being prosecuted in a four-count charge over a plot of land in Guzape, Abuja, belonging to NEXTDORA NIG. LTD with RC. No: 1190723.
The charge sheet says:
“That you, Mubarak Musa Saliu ‘M’ of S/O Williams Utako, Abuja, Prof. Sani Ibrahim ‘M’ of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and others now at large, sometimes in December, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a felony to wit: forgery and criminal trespass, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act.
“That you, Mubarak Musa Saliu ‘M’ of S/O Williams Utako, Abuja, Prof. Sani Ibrahim ‘M’ of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and others now at large, sometimes in December, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently and dishonestly used as genuine, a document by changing the RC. No of NEXTDORA LTD, from RC. 1190723 to RC. 564478 NETCAP INTERSWITCH, which you knew or have reason to believe to be forged document and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act.
“That you, Mubarak Musa Saliu ‘M’ of S/O Williams Utako, Abuja, Prof. Sani Ibrahim ‘M’ of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and others now at large, sometimes in December, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession a forged document wherein the RC. No of NEXTDORA LTD was changed from RC. 1190723 to RC. 564478 NETCAP INTERSWITCH, knowing same to be forged and intending that same shall fraudulently or dishonestly be used as genuine and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 368 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act.
“That you, Mubarak Musa Saliu ‘M’ of S/O Williams Utako, Abuja, Prof. Sani Ibrahim ‘M’ of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and others now at large, on December 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority, entered into PLOT NO 4411 Guzape, Abuja, belonging to NEXTDORA NIG LTD, with intent to commit an offence and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 348 of the Penal Code Act”, the charges read.
The case was filed on April 18 and called for arraignment before Judge Ademuyiwa Oyeyipo on May 27 after the defendants failed to appear in court on three consecutive adjourned dates.
Ibrahim, the second defendant, evaded appearance in court at two previous seatings, despite being served court papers, which prompted the police on the order of court to visit ABU and arrest him for arraignment.
He, however, pleaded not guilty, when the charges were read to him on Tuesday.
His lead counsel R.O. Atabo SAN, had filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection dated May 20 challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case.
Atabo also faulted perceived discrepancies in the name and Seal of the Prosecution Counsel and asked the court to strike out the charges for incompetence and lack of jurisdiction.
The preliminary objection argued that “That the said charge is purportedly signed by one F.A.O Longe, Esq, whilst the seal of legal practitioners embossed thereon is that of LONGE FRANK OMOKHOJE.
“That by the combined effect of the provisions of Sections 2(1) & 24 of the Legal Practitioners Act and decision of the Apex Court in YAKI VS. BAGUDU (2015) 18 NWLR (PT. 1491) 288, the charge is null and void in law for NOT being signed by a legal practitioner known to law.
“That the said Counts 1 & 4 are incompetent because the 2nd Defendant is absolutely protected by Section 47 of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532, in that he acted pursuant to the lawful orders of this Honourable Court.”
However, the Judge ruled the preliminary objection in favour of the prosecution counsel.
Atabo made an oral application for bail for Ibrahim but it was countered by prosecution counsel Frank Longe.
Oyeyipo remanded Ibrahim in a correctional facility until June 19 pending when a proper bail application is filed and argued.
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