Woman docked over alleged trespass, forgery

A 55-year-old business woman, Taira Ibitoye, was on Tuesday arraigned in a Kuje Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, on charges bordering on trespass and forging landed property documents, belonging to one Mr Mustapha Aliu.

Ibitoye, who resides at Funtaj Road area of Kuje, was arraigned on a three-count charge of joint act, criminal trespass and forgery, offences she denied committing.

The prosecutor, Doris Okoroba, said that the case was reported by Aliu, a civil servant, at the Kuje Police Station on Sept. 4.

Okoroba said that on the same day the case was reported, the accused and one Abubakar Sadiq, now at large, mobilised people to work on a plot of land at AA2 Layout, belonging to Aliu.

She said that during investigation, it was discovered that the accused and Sadiq, forged documents of the property and were about to sell it to someone when they were caught.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 96, 265 and 248 of the Penal Code.

The judge, Taribo Jim, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Jim said that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the case until Oct. 9, for mention.