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A 49-year-old applicant, Tunji Ogunsipe, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly forging the signature of one Mr Obafemi Ogunbekun with an intent to withdraw N16.5million.  

        Ogunsipe, who resides in Idi-Araba area of Lagos,  is facing a charge of forgery, to which he pleaded not guilty. The Prosecutor, ASP Clifford Ogu, said that the defendant committed the offence on Feb. 12 at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Ikeja, Lagos. Ogu said that the defendant forged the signature of  the complainant, Mr Ogunbekun, with intent to withdraw the money from his Stanbic IBTC Bank account. The defendant went to the bank and presented the cheque to the teller for withdrawal. After investigation, it was discovered that the signature  was forged. It was based on the discovery that the bank quickly alerted security personnel, who arrested the defendant,” the prosecutor said.
         According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Section 365(3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 365(3) stipulates seven years imprisonment for forgery. The Magistrate, Mr J.A Adegun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of  N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum. Adegun said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government. He adjourned the case until May 8, for mention.