Businessman Chinedu Nwota Arraigned Over Alleged Forgery, Assault On Police Officers

Nwota was charged before the Magistrate Court of Lagos State in the Ikeja Magisterial District holden at Ogba, in Charge No: 11/0/76/76/2026, by the Commissioner of Police.

The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate Mr. L.A Owolabi, with SP Josephine Ihkayere prosecuting, on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, making false document, assault and breach of peace.

According to the charge sheet sighted by P.M.EXPRESS, in Count One, the Police alleged that Chinedu Nwota and others now at large, sometime between 4th May and 3rd June, 2026, at No. 5, Saka Tinubu Street, Victoria Island, in the Lagos Magisterial District, conspired to commit felony to wit: make false document to the prejudice of Nwachukwu Jude and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

In Count Two, the prosecution alleged that on 3rd June, 2026, at No. 5, Saka Tinubu Street, Tele Plaza, Victoria Island, the defendant, with intent to make tenants at the Tele Plaza believe that he was acting as or for Claying Ventures, wrote a notice notifying tenants of a purported change in guard at the Plaza by April, 2028, knowing same to be false to the prejudice of Nwachukwu Jude Ltd., 1055 Agbebon Close, Victoria Island, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363(1)(a)(b) and punishable under Section 365(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

In Count Three and Four, the Police alleged that on 5th May, 2026, at Ebute-Meta, the defendant, with intent to resist or wilfully obstruct Police officers while acting in execution of their duty, assaulted one ASP Simon Modey with fist blows all over his body and caused him harm on his left and right leg, contrary to Sections 174(b) and 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

In Count Five, the Police alleged that on same date, time and place, the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by inciting members of the public, by calling Policemen who identified themselves properly with a valid arrest warrant against him kidnappers, with intent to prevent his arrest, punishable under Section 174(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

In Count Six and Seven, the Police alleged that on 21st May, 2026, at about 8:30hrs, at Lagos State Police Headquarters, Ikeja, the defendant assaulted one Segun Adekanla and one Cpl Adeyaniu Damilare in an attempt to escape from Police custody and conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by jumping out of a vehicle and raising alarm on the way to court, punishable under Sections 174(b)(c) and 168(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The Investigating Police Officer in the matter was ASP Anifowose Oladimeji.

At the arraignment, the prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, told the court to take the plea of the defendant.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the seven counts.

The defence counsel applied for bail on his behalf, assuring the court that he would not jump bail.

In his ruling, Magistrate Mr. L.A Owolabi granted the defendant bail with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.

The Magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri Town, pending perfection of his bail conditions.

The matter was adjourned for mention. Under the law, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.