Forgery, Impersonation Allegations: Abuja Lawyer, Victor Giwa, Arrested in Lagos on Bench Warrant

By our Correspondent

Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, who was declared wanted by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, has been arrested in Lagos by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, on Monday, September 15, 2025, issued a bench warrant for Giwa and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola, after both failed to appear in court for arraignment on charges of forgery and impersonation.

Police sources confirmed that Giwa was arrested in Lagos on Friday, September 19, 2025, and is currently detained at the Zone 2 Police Headquarters. He is expected to be transferred to Abuja on Monday, September 22, in line with the bench warrant.

In the charge marked CR/150/25, filed by the Inspector General of Police, Giwa and Bukola are accused of conspiring to forge a legal document purportedly issued from the chambers of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa U. Kalu, with intent to mislead the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

According to the three-count charge, the alleged offence occurred on June 28, 2024. The prosecution alleges that the defendants forged and signed a letter on the official letterhead of Awa U. Kalu (SAN), urging the AGF to suspend a scheduled arraignment.

The controversial letter, titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023,” was allegedly addressed to the AGF. It purportedly sought intervention to halt an arraignment before Justice Samira Bature of the Maitama High Court on July 2, 2024, arguing that the charges against Giwa should be withdrawn in the interest of “natural justice, equity, and fair play.”

Giwa, alongside property developer, Cecil Osakwe, and another person, had been scheduled for arraignment on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged illegal eviction, criminal intimidation, threat to life, and property damage amounting to ₦300 million before Justice Bature.

The fresh charges before the FCT High Court, Apo, accuse Giwa and Bukola of conspiracy to commit forgery and impersonation (punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act, 2004), dishonest execution of a fraudulent document (Section 364), and false personation of a legal practitioner (Section 179).

At the resumed court sitting on Monday, Prosecution Counsel, Eristo Asaph, recalled that at the previous sitting on May 26, 2025, counsel for the 1st defendant had sought an adjournment on grounds of bereavement. He noted the judge had directed both accused persons to be present at the next hearing without fail.

Counsel for the defendants, Ogbu Aboje, informed the court that Giwa had written a letter dated September 3, accompanied by a medical report, notifying the court of urgent health issues. He also explained that Bukola had to attend a hospital appointment for her daughter’s immunisation.

Asaph, however, opposed Giwa’s medical excuse, arguing that the report did not indicate he was unfit to attend court, while Bukola failed to present any documentation for her claim. He urged the court to issue a bench warrant against both defendants for deliberately avoiding trial.

In his ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that Giwa’s medical report did not state he was incapable of appearing in court and faulted Bukola for failing to provide any supporting document. Consequently, the judge issued a bench warrant under Section 352 of the ACJA to compel their appearance at the next adjourned date, October 8, 2025.

Barrister Ibitade Bukola is also expected to be arrested, with both defendants due to appear before Justice Onwuegbuzie to answer charges of conspiracy, forgery, fraudulent execution of documents, and false personation of a legal practitioner.