LAGOS—32-year-old Ojewole Oyewale, who forged a judgement of a Magistrate and also impersonated a sheriff of Ikeja High Court, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court.

The defendant and seven others at large, are facing a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, burglary, stealing, forgery, impersonation and unlawful damage preferred against him by the police.
Oyewale, who was paid by one Qudus Gbolahan-Folami, landlord of number 23, Muri Folami Street in Ogudu, Ojota area of Lagos, to act as the Ikeja High Court sheriff, was docked before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe.

Police prosecutor, ASP Eranus Nnamonu, told the court that the defendant and seven others currently at large, conspired to commit the offences on March 12, 2014, at 23, Muri Folami Street, Ogudu Ojota area of the state.

He said the defendant broke and forcefully entered the house of Mrs Yetunde Aderemi and stole gold jewelries valued at N5milliion and a cash sum of N650,000, belonging to the victim.

Nnamonu also informed the court that Oyewale forged the judgement of a Magistrate Court of Lagos, purportedly delivered by Mr O. A. Adesupo on November 13, 2013.                                                                                                                 The prosecutor also said the defendant and five others, at large, with intent to defraud the victim, impersonated themselves as sheriffs of Ikeja High Court.

He claimed that the defendant maliciously damaged one refrigerator valued at N250,000; television set valued at N220,000, as well as a dinning set and a sitting room settee all valued at N500,000.

Other items allegedly destroyed include kitchen utensils valued at N420,000 and lace materials worth N300,000, all belonging to the victim.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened sections 409, 305 (b), 285 (1) and is punishable under section 363 (w), 378 (1) and 348 of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him, while Magistrate Komolafe granted him bail in the sum of N1million, with two responsible sureties in like sum.

She also ordered that N50,000 be deposited in the account of the court registrar and adjourned the matter till June 26 for mention.