Eight traders at the popular Idumota market, Lagos Island, Lagos State, were today re-arraigned before the Igbosere High Court of Lagos State, on alleged conspiracy, forgery, Impersonation and giving false information to the security agencies, by the operatives of Force Criminal Investigation Department ForceCID Annex Alagbon-Ikoyi Lagos State.
The eight traders re-arraigned before Justice Serifat Sonaike, led-court are: Mr. Basil Odinamba, Mr. Christian Okosa, Mr. Sunday Nwanko, Jacob Ogbu, Tochukwu Okoye, Mr. Cyril Chinwendu Okafor, Mr. Cyril Uzodinma Okafor, and Akas Nicholas Ogu.
Rearraigning the traders, the prosecutor, Barrister Morufu Ajani Animashaun, in an amended charge marked LD/26586C/2025, told the court that all the defendants conspired among themselves to create and use false documents relating to the affairs of the Association of Progressive Traders, Idumota.
The prosecutor alleged that on August 2, 2023, at the APT International Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, the defendants conspired among themselves and others still at large to commit a felony by making false documents without lawful authority.
The charge further stated that the accused persons allegedly prepared a false resolution dated August 2, 2023, with the intent to defraud members of the association and the public.
They were also alleged to have forged the certificate of incorporation of the Association of Progressive Traders and altered same in other to replace some trustees of the association.
The defendants were also accused of making false statements and declarations before a Notary Public on February 8, 2024, by falsely represented one Ruth Idowu as a duly elected Trustees of the association.
The prosecution claimed the act was carried out on August 18, 2023, at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.
On allegation of impersonation, the prosecutor alleged that the defendants falsely presented themselves as the Chairman and Secretary of the Association of Progressive Traders despite not being validly elected to occupy those positions.
The police also alleged that the defendants knowingly produced and used the altered association’s certificate as a genuine document, intending that it be accepted and acted upon by members of the public.
The alleged offences according to the prosecutor, are contrary to sections 411, 370, 365, 370(a)(b), 380 and 115 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State 2015, and punishable under section 370 of the same law.
All the defendants denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the amended charge, when it was read to them.
Their lawyers led by Ibrahim Bawa (SAN) prayed the court to allow their clients to contact to enjoy the bail earlier granted them. The request which was granted by the court
Following their not guilty plea, their trial commenced immediately, as the prosecutor called his first witness in the matter.
Upon conclusion of the witness’ statement, defence team asked the court for adjournment to cross-examined the witness.
Consequently, the court adjourned the matter adjourned to 21 September 2026 for the cross-examination of the witness and the continuation of trial proceedings.