A legal practitioner, Olusegun Agunloye, was arraigned on Thursday before a Chief Magistrate Court in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, on charges of forgery.
The 49-year-old lawyer is accused of presenting a forged testamentary instrument, commonly known as a Will, belonging to the late Benjamin Ejelonu, at the probate registry of the High Court in Akure.
The charges against Agunloye include conspiracy and forgery, with the police alleging that he conspired with Aminat Bakare, the deceased’s sister, to forge the Will.
Bakare is currently facing trial in a related case (charge number MAK/372C/2024) in the same court. The alleged forgery was intended to defraud Oluwamodupe Ejelonu, another relative of the deceased.
The police prosecutor, Nelson Akintimehin, told the court that the offence was committed on September 7, 2023, around 10:30 a.m. at the probate registry.
The charges, according to Akintimehin, violate Sections 516 and 467(2)(f) of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006.
Agunloye pleaded not guilty to both charges. His defence counsel, Kehinde Osadugbe, requested bail for his client on the grounds that Agunloye is a practising lawyer and was performing his professional duties at the time of the alleged offence.
However, the prosecutor opposed the bail request, arguing that Agunloye is a flight risk and had previously violated an administrative bail granted on self-recognizance.
Magistrate Kolawole Aro granted Agunloye bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties of like amount. The case was adjourned to September 2024 for hearing and the consolidation of the charges.
Unable to meet his bail conditions, Agunloye was remanded in police custody.
