Date Published: 05/25/11

Forgery: AGF drags Senator Igbeke to Court

The Federal Government has charged Senator Alphonsus Igbeke, representing Anambra North Senatoral District, before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly forging the result of the senatorial primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party for the zone.

An Abuja Magistrates’ Court had earlier issued a warrant for the arrest of the Senator over a similar crime.

But the warrant, which directed all police officers to arrest Igbeke anywhere he was found, was later discharged by the court.

The two-count charge with No. FHC/ABJ/CR/44/11 and dated May 24, 2011 was obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday.

It was initiated and filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke Bello (SAN).

The charge sheet, which was endorsed by a director from the office of the AGF, Mrs. O.O. Fatunde, read.

That you, Alphonsus Uba Igbeke (m) at about the 21st day of January, 2011 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria did make a forged document described as the Senatorial Primary Result sheet for the Peoples Democratic party (PDP)of Anambra North Zone knowing it to be false to wit: you falsely represented the votes scored by the aspirants as follows: John Emeka Jnr—156; Chief A. Igbeke—1173; Chief Denis Odife—15; Hon. Uzoka Okwudili—34; Hon. Celestine Ughanze—297 and Chief Tony Nnacheta—25, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and punishable under section 1[2] of the same Act.

That you, Alphonsus Uba Igbeke (m) at about the 21st day of January, 2011 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria did make a forged document described as the Senatorial Primary Result sheet for the Peoples Democratic party of Anambra North Zone knowing it to be false to wit: you falsely represented the votes scored by the aspirants as follows: John Emeka Jnr—156; Chief A. Igbeke—1173; Chief Denis Odife—15; Hon. Uzoka Okwudili—34; Hon. Celestine Ughanze—297 and Chief Tony Nnacheta—25, with intent that it may be used by yourself to buttress your prayer to the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/189/2011 to be declared winner of the Senatorial party primary to the prejudice of John Emeka the real winner and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and punishable under section 1[2] of the same Act.

No date has been fixed for his arraignment in court.

Punch