A 39-year-old lawyer, Chinwuba Ekene, has been remanded in prison custody by a Lagos State Magistrate Court in Yaba for allegedly forging a court order and stealing property worth N49,592,000.
The police have charged Ekene with conspiracy, forgery, breaking and entering, and stealing. During his arraignment on Friday, the Police Prosecutor, Supol Idowu Osungbure, revealed that the alleged crimes took place in June 2024 at House 6, G Close, 322 Road, FESTAC Town, Lagos.
Allegations of Forgery and Theft
Osungbure told the court that Ekene, in collaboration with accomplices who are currently at large, forged a court order and used it to gain illegal access to the residence of the complainant, Helen Ekwem. The prosecutor alleged that Ekene falsely claimed he was executing a legitimate court judgment when he broke into Ekwem’s apartment and carted away numerous valuables.
“The defendant forged a court order to deceive the complainant and unlawfully carried out an execution he knew to be illegal,” Osungbure said.
The stolen items include a 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Jeep with number plate NNE 749 FC, a MacBook Pro laptop worth N2.3 million, and seven pairs of original suits valued at N560,000. Other items listed were 15 industrial fans worth N1.83 million, stud earrings worth N360,000, a Hublot wristwatch valued at N700,000, a perfume collection worth over N230,000, and 25 pairs of shoes valued at N1 million.
Osungbure added that the total value of stolen items, including sitting room chairs, ceiling fans, and original car documents belonging to Ekwem, amounted to N49,592,000.
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Charges and Legal Proceedings
According to the prosecutor, the alleged crimes violate Sections 411 (conspiracy), 363 (forgery), and 287 (stealing) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
When the charges were read in court, Ekene pleaded not guilty. In response, Magistrate Ali Balogun granted him bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties of equal value. The court specified that one surety must be in paid employment, while the other must be either Ekene’s spouse or parent. Both sureties are required to provide proof of tax payments to the Lagos State government, and their residential addresses will be verified.
Magistrate Balogun adjourned the case to February 13, 2024, for mention. In the meantime, Ekene will remain in prison custody until he meets the bail conditions.
Victim Seeks Justice
The complainant, Helen Ekwem, has called for justice, expressing shock over the scale of the alleged theft.
“I hope the legal process will bring accountability for the wrongful actions that have caused me great loss,” she reportedly said.
The court’s decision to remand Ekene underscores the seriousness of the allegations and signals the authorities’ commitment to addressing cases of forgery and theft in Lagos State.