Abuja Giwa lawyer, other accused, reported $30 million bail condition for alleged forgery

Two Abuja-based lawyers, Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola, were arraigned on Wednesday before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo Division, on charges of alleged forgery of documents and identity theft.

The defendants, accused of three counts bordering on criminal conspiracy to falsify, imitate and fraudulently execute documents, have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offenses were committed on June 28, 2024, when Giwa and Bukola allegedly forged a letter using the official letterhead of Awa U. Kalu (SAN) and addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

The forged letter titled “Urgent and Solemn Petition to Stay the Summons of our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023” allegedly sought to influence the AGF to stop Giwa’s scheduled arraignment before Justice Samira Bature at the Maitama High Court.

The matter, presided over by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, was previously stalled on September 15, 2025, prompting the issuance of an arrest warrant against Giwa, who was later arrested.

His co-accused, Bukola, was at large but was produced before court today.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecutor’s lawyer Asaph Eristo informed the court that the matter would be called to trial. The charges were read in open court and Victor Giwa and his co-accused pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution requested that Giwa be placed in pre-trial detention, citing the need to avoid interference with the investigation.

However, Edwin Anikpenu, SAN, appearing for the defence, applied for bail, stating that both defendants are lawyers and argued that the second defendant, Bukola, is a breastfeeding mother.

Anikpenu asked the court for permission to orally amend the existing bail application to include the second accused.

Judge Onwuegbuzie, visibly displeased, criticized the defense for making an oral bail application despite being represented by more than a dozen lawyers.

“It is shocking that one lawyer, a Senior Advocate, came forward with an oral application and attempted to add another defendant without documentation. With 13 lawyers present, no one saw fit to make a proper bail application,” the judge noted.

The court subsequently refused bail for the second defendant and requested that she be detained at Suleja Prison, Niger State.

On Giwa’s bail, Anikpenu urged the court to consider admitting him on self-recognizance or into the custody of a reputable officer of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Garki Branch, promising that he would not interfere with the case.

The prosecution opposed the request, citing a counter-statement and evidence that suggested Giwa posed a flight risk, pointing out that public funds had been used to effect his arrest.

After hearing both sides, the court granted Victor Giwa bail in the amount of ₦30 million, with two sureties of the same sum, indicating that he will remain in police custody until he completes his conditions.

Guarantors must be civil servants, not below Grade 16 level, residing in Abuja, with verifiable addresses and valid identity cards. They must also present their international passports.

The matter was subsequently postponed to 15 October 2025 for continuation.

Also present in court today were AA Askira of the NBA Civil Liberties Committee observing the briefs of the defendant and Levi Nwonye of the nominal plaintiff.