By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Justice Muslim Hassan of a Federal High Court has adjourned till February 2, 2021 for continuation of cross-examination of a police forensic analyst, Mr Reginald Odunze, in the trial of a forgery suspect, Chief Alao Adeniran.
Alao Adeniran is standing trial on a 15-count charge bordering on forgery of a resolution of the Oguntoyinbo, Abiola, Falola and Ilo families of Ipaja, fabrication of evidence with intent to mislead the court, holding of 125 acres of land belonging to the families with intent to breach the peace, amongst others.
At the resumption of proceedings, Odunze was led in evidence by a deputy director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Chioma Onuegbu.
Odunze, a lecturer at the Police College, Lagos, while testifying as an expert witness of the Federal Ministry of Justice, which is prosecuting Adeniran, told the court that a request was forwarded to him through the Commissioner of Police, Forensic Department, Force CID Alagbon, Lagos to examine and compare documents marked exhibits A, B1- B2.
Responding to one of the questions asked him, he said;
“This was sequel to a letter written to the Commissioner of Police by a letter dated 16th of August 2016 and attached to this letter were documents marked exhibits P4, P5 and P6 respectively.
“My Lord, my examination and comparison of the signatures on the documents revealed that the signatures on Exhibits P4 are forged signatures of the signatures of the document marked Exhibit P5.”
Thereafter, the defence counsel Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) indicated his intention to cross examine the witness.
But Justice Hassan observed that the court’s docket for the day was congested and therefore, adjourned till February 2, 2021 for cross-examination.
