Forgery, Impersonation: Abuja Lawyer Victor Giwa Faces Police Charges
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja, is set to hear a case filed against prominent Abuja lawyer, Victor Giwa, and one Ibitade Bukola, over allegations of document forgery and impersonation.
In a case brought forward by the Inspector General of Police and marked CR/150/25, Giwa and Bukola are accused of forging an official letter in the name of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa U. Kalu, to allegedly deceive the Attorney General of the Federation.
The three-count charge claims the alleged offence took place on June 28, 2024. Prosecutors allege that the defendants fabricated a document on Kalu’s law firm letterhead, appealing to the AGF to halt Giwa’s arraignment in a separate case. The letter was titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023” and reportedly aimed to delay a court appearance scheduled before Justice Samira Bature of the FCT High Court, Maitama, on July 2, 2024.
The letter, allegedly presented as originating from Kalu’s chambers, urged the AGF to step in, citing concerns over fairness and justice.
Giwa, along with real estate developer Cecil Osakwe and another individual, was slated to be arraigned on separate charges involving illegal eviction, threats, and destruction of property reportedly worth N300 million.
The new charges filed at the Apo division of the FCT High Court include criminal conspiracy (under Section 97 of the Penal Code), forging and executing a fraudulent document (Section 364), and falsely presenting oneself as a legal professional (Section 179).
Rabiu U. Usman, counsel from the Legal/Prosecution unit under the IGP’s office, is handling the case on behalf of the police.
When the matter came up on Monday before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, neither of the defendants appeared in court. Prosecutor J.K. Kolawole stood in for the police, while defence counsel U.J. Udoh requested an adjournment, informing the court that Victor Giwa was bereaved and had travelled to his hometown to bury his sister.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the adjournment but firmly cautioned that no further delays would be tolerated. The case was postponed until September 15, 2025,for arraignment.
