By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Senior Correspondent
Former Managing Director (MD) of Mainstreet Bank Registrars Limited, Chester Ukandu, was on Monday March 19 arraigned before Justice O.A Williams of an Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos for alleged forgery of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) documents.
The former bank chief was charged alongside a former director of the bank, Achi George on a three counts charge of conspiracy and forgery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the charge endorsed by the anti-graft agency through its counsel, Zainab Ettu, the defendants were alleged to have between February 6 and 7, 2012, conspired among themselves and forged the letter-head paper of Mainstreet Bank Registrars Limited, with registration number 613674, claiming that it emanated from Mainstreet Bank’s Registrars Limited.
The duo were also alleged to have forged a Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Form 2A, claiming that it emanated from CAC.
The anti-graft agency further submitted to the court that the defendants had retired from the company, only to unlawfully convert the company’s properties and bank account with Skye Bank for personal use.
Furthermore, the court was notified that the defendants were arrested after investigation was conducted on a petition written by the Company’s lawyer, Dr. Charles Mekwunye.
After hearing the charge preferred against them by EFCC, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the three counts charge of conspiracy and forgery.
Following their plea, their lawyer, Samuel Agwuh intimated the court that a bail application had been filed by his clients, praying that the court should grant them bail in the most liberal terms.
Responding, the Commission’s counsel told the court that the EFCC had just received the applications and needed time to respond.
In view of the submission of the Commission, Justice Williams in her ruling ordered that the defendants be remanded in Ikoyi prisons until April 10, 2018 when their bail applications will be entertained.