A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday ordered Alphonsus Ubanesse Igbeke, the Senator representing Anambra North senatorial district to appear before it to answer charges of forgery.
The Attorney General of the Federation in a suit “the Federal Republic of Nigeria vs.Senator Alphonsus Igbeke,” filed a two-count of criminal forgery and perjury against Mr Igbeke.
The suit, with charge number FHC/ABJCF/44/11 reveals that Mr Igbeke allegedly forged the senatorial primary result sheet for the People Democratic Party (PDP) of Anambra North senatorial district.
According to the fake result sheet, the embattled Senator was adjudged winner, having polled One thousand one hundred and seventy three (1,173) votes, while John Emeka (Jnr) came a distant third with One hundred and fifty six (156) votes.
The two count charge against Mr Igbeke reads:
COUNT ONE: That you, Alphonsus Uba Igbeke (M) on or 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 People 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) – 1562
Chief A Igbeke – 1173
Chief Dennis Odife – 154
Hon Uzoka Okwudili – 345
Hon Celestine Ughnaze – 297
Chief Tony Nnacheta – 25
COUNT TWO: That you, Alphonsus Uba Igbeke (M) on or 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 People 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 – 1,173
Chief Dennis Odife – 154
Hon Uzoka Okwudili – 345
Hon Celestine Ughnaze – 297
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 said act.
Justice Adamu Bello, who ruled on the application, countered the application of opposing counsel on whether the defendant’s motion to quash charges against him can be considered without arraignment and taking of plea.
The Judge, after considering the arguments by counsel – ordered that until the accused person is arraigned in court he cannot seek the indulgence of the court to hear his motion to quash charges against him.
Justice Bello further ruled that the accused must first appear in court to take his plea, and any objection on jurisdiction cannot be raised before arraignment.
On the application of the prosecution for a bench warrant to compel the accused person to appear in court, he urged that the first step is to issue a court summons to the accused. Failure to respond to the summons will then lead to a bench warrant being issued.
The trial judge then adjourned the case to 22nd of May 2012.
