In Osun: Man, 44, Jailed One Year For Forging Lawyer’s Official Stamp

By Grace Isaac, Osogbo

A 44-year-old man, Akeem Yusuf, has been sentenced to a year imprisonment for forging official documents of a lawyer. 

The  Police Prosecutor, Mr Lamidi Rasaq  had earlier informed the court that Yusuf committed the offense on March 13, 2017 at Kolabalogun area of osogbo, the Osun State capital. 

He said the accused forged a letter head paper, seal, official stamp and signature of Barrister Gbadebo and Co Chambers. 

According to him,   Yusuf used the stamp and signature of the lawyer to prepare a letter of appeal to UK embassy without the consent of the lawyer.

He explained that the offense committed  contravenes Section 516, Section 467, (4) (b) of the Criminal Criminal Code Cap 34 Volume. 11 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria. 

The accused thereafter pleaded guilty to the offence, while  the counsel to the accused, Abimbola  Ige prayed the court to tender mercy with justice. He said the accused has no previous criminal offense and urged the court to give him the second chance. 

Ige added that the report he gathered from  warders in the prison about the the accused  showed that he has seriously displayed a sense of remorse. 

The presiding Magistrate, Olubukola Awodele in his ruling sentenced him to one year imprisonment with an option of N10, 000 fine.

It should be recalled that Yusuf had earlier pleaded not guilty when he was first arraigned on Aug. 11.