Accused presents forged documents as collateral

Ovie Okpare, Warri

An accused person standing trial for forgery before the Warri Chief Magistrates Court in Delta State, Mr. John Ugboruhioba, has presented forged documents of a Mercedes Benz saloon car as collateral.

Ugboruhioba, said to be a money lender, has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, with an option of N40,000, for forgery.

The judgment was delivered on Tuesday by Chief Magistrate E. M. Sowho of the Warri Chief Magistrate Court in Delta State.

The case, which was brought to the court by Sgt, Ejiro Ololo, was said to have started since 2006.

54-year-old Ugboruhioba was accused of forging the signature of the documents of a Mercedes Benz saloon car belonging to Mrs. Vivian Ezenwenyi, who was also the complainant.

The prosecutor had informed the court that the complainant borrowed N300,000 from the accused and deposited her land deed and car as collateral; but after the complainant returned the money and accrual interest, the accused refused to release the car.

Ololo told the court that when the complainant met the stipulated one month to refund the money with the agreed interest rate of N75,000, the accused gave some flimsy excuses to hold on to the car, whereas, unknown Ezenwenyi, the car has been sold.

Ololo told the court that the accused’s action to defraud and forge a signature was punishable under Section 467 of the criminal code of Delta State.

According to the prosecutor, “’The complainant forged the signature of the complainant and sold the Mercedes car to one lecturer in a college of education.

“The matter was taken to Alagbon Police Division to confirm the fingerprint, and the signature was discovered to be forged.”

Chief Magistrate Sowho ruled that Ugboruhioba spend six months in jail with an option of fine.