Abia govt. officials invade Lagos court for Ogah’s trial

Uche Ogah

Some very senior officials of the Abia State Government on Thursday invaded the premises of Tinubu Magistrates Court in Lagos for the trial of Uche Ogah over forgery allegation.

Ogah, who was recently declared as Abia Governor-elect by a Federal High Court, Abuja and two ex-staffs of United Bank for Africa, UBA were arraigned before the court earlier in the year for allegedly forging some documents relating to the opening of an account belonging to one Mrs Bridget Adeosun.

Ogah has since pleaded not guilty to the charge, insisting that the matter bothered on business transaction while the Management of UBA through an advertorial in the Punch newspaper has also absolved their ex-employees of any wrong doing on the issue.

Ogah’s lawyer, Barr. Monday Ubani had also explained that the forgery allegation by the police was mischievous as the complainant, Mrs Adeosun had actually entered a business agreement with Ogah’s company, Masters Energy Oil and Gas Ltd where she divested her interest in an oil importation contract.

According to Ubani, part of the agreement included the opening of an account in the name of Mut-Hass Energy where proceeds from the oil importation business would be paid into.

Ubani said the business went on smoothly until Mrs Adeosun attempted to alter the account signatories and make herself soul signatory after the oil business proceed had been paid into the account.

He said that it was when UBA officials resisted Mrs Adeosun’s plot to become soul signatory to the account that she suddenly raised alarm that her signature was forged.

“We have all our evidence and we will show to the court, the mischievous nature of the complainant. How can someone attempt to change the signatories of an account you claim was forged. The court will surely hear the truth and I can assure you that truth and justice shall prevail,” he said.

At the commencement of the trial Thursday, some key officials of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu administration were sighted at the court premises.

The officials included the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Eyinnaya Appolos, two personal assistants to the governor and an ex-commission.

Though not parties in the matter, the officials are believed to be supporting the complainant, Mrs Adeosun who was absent in court.

The trial however could not proceed because the presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs Kikelomo Ayeye was indisposed.
The matter has been adjourned till October 10, 2016.

Reacting to the invasion of the court premises by Abia Government officials, Ubani said it was obvious that the allegation was politically motivated.

“You can imagine what happened today. What is the business of Abia State Government in a trial that they are neither complainant nor prosecutor? This goes to show you those behind this false allegation,” he said.