Lawyer arraigned in Akure for forging late man’s will

A legal practitioner, Olusegun Agunloye, was arraigned on Thursday before a Chief Magistrate Court in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on charges of forgery.

Agunloye is accused of submitting a forged testamentary document, commonly known as a Will, of the late Benjamin Ejelonu to the probate registry of the court in Akure.

The 49-year-old lawyer was brought before the court by the police on two charges: conspiracy and forgery.

According to police prosecutor Nelson Akintimehin, the alleged offense took place on September 7, 2023, at around 10:30 am at the probate registry of the High Court in Akure.

Akintimehin claimed that Agunloye conspired with the deceased’s sister, Aminat Bakare, who is currently facing trial under charge number MAK/372C/2024 in the same court, to forge the Will and submit it to the Probate Registry with the intent to defraud Oluwamodupe Ejelonu.

The prosecutor stated that the alleged actions violated Sections 516 and 467(2)(f) of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006.

Agunloye pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The prosecutor requested an adjournment to allow time to gather witnesses and consolidate the charges before the court.

Meanwhile, the defense counsel, Kehinde Osadugbe, appealed for bail on behalf of his client, arguing that as a practising lawyer, Agunloye should be granted bail on self-recognisance, noting that the alleged offense occurred during the performance of his legal duties.

The prosecutor opposed this, citing concerns that the defendant might flee if granted bail, given that he had previously violated the conditions of an administrative bail granted at the police station.

Magistrate Kolawole Aro granted bail to the defendant in the amount of N2 million, with two sureties of the same amount, and adjourned the case to September 2024 for hearing and consolidation of the charges. However, the defendant was remanded at the police station after failing to meet the bail conditions.