Italian Woman Jailed 3 Years For Using Forged Documents To Claim Landlord’s Property In Lagos

The Judge, in her judgment, held that the convict used forged documents to claim the property where she was a tenant after the death of her husband, Luca Signorelli. The Court specifically found her guilty of using false documents and counterfeit seals to confer ownership of the property on herself.

Her journey to prison started on March 30, 2019, when the EFCC arraigned her alongside a Nigerian, Stella Ogboru, on five counts but later amended the charge to six counts and drop the name of her co-defendant from the charge.

She was charged for offences bordering on forgery, stealing of property and use of false documents and counterfeit seals.

She pleaded not guilty and was granted bail with conditions before the trial commenced and she was later found guilty.

On the plea for mercy, her defence counsel, Babatunde Ogungbamila, urged the Judge to temper justice with mercy, stating that the aged Italian and widow was a first-time offender who was misled by her former lawyer.

While handing down the three years sentence, Justice Dada also ordered the release of the property to Waterside Properties Limited within three weeks. However, the Court gave the convict an option of a N50 million fine, which must be paid within three weeks of the judgment or else she will have to serve the jail term.

One of the amended charges read, “That you, Floriana De-Stefani sometime in 2015, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable court, dishonestly converted for your use, a property known and situated at No.14A/B Warring Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, a property of Waterside Properties Limited”.

Another count read, “That you, Floriana De-Stefani sometime in the year 2015 in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with dishonest intention forged a document titled “Deed Of Assignment” dated 1983, allegedly prepared by Rosamond O. Bakare: purported to have been entered between Mr E.A. Lowo on behalf of Waterside Properties Limited, on the first part and late Lucas Signorelli and Mrs Floriana De-Stefani, on the second part”.

“That you, Floriana De-Stefani sometime in the year 2015 in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with dishonest intention forged a document titled “Extract from the extraordinary General Meeting of Waterside Properties Limited dated 17th Of June, 1983; purported to have been made in preparation for the dissolution of Waterside Properties Limited,” another count read.