Man, 58, Arrested For Forging Lagos Internal Revenue Service Signature & Stamp Duty

MICHAEL AKINOLA

A 58-year old man, Lawrence Obinna Nwokocha, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly forging Stamp duty and signature of Lagos State Internal Revenue Service.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Old Secretariat, Ikeja area of Lagos.

The suspect allegedly forged the documents and issued to a beneficiary, Rosemary Paulinus ‘f on acknowledgement of receipt of payment

However, he ran out of luck as he was caught and handed over to the Police at the Commissioner of Police Special Squad, Ikeja, for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

During interrogation, he reportedly admitted to have done so.

Thus, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence under the Criminal Laws of the State.

The charges read:

“That you, Lawrence Obinna Nwokocha ‘m’ and others at large, on the 26th day of January, 2017 at about 1130hrs at old Secretariat, Ikeja Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: forgery and thereby committed an offence contrary to and Puriishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”

COUNT II:” That you, Lawrence Obinna Nwokocha ‘m’ and others at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did knowingly and intentionally forge the stamp duty and signature of Lagos State Internal Revenue Service and thereby committed offence contrary to and Punishable under Section 363 and Punishable under Section (6)(7)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”

COUNT III: “That you, Lawrence Obinna Nwokocha ‘m’ and others at large, on the same and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did knowingly and intentionally issue forged documents to one Rosemary Paulinus ‘f on acknowledgement of receipt and thereby offence contrary to Section 362(1)(b)(e) and Punishable under Section Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.