Bank employee arraigned over alleged forgery of non-indebtedness letter

n n

A 37-year-old microfinance bank employee, Henry Nwoko, on Friday appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly forging a letter of non-indebtedness.

n

Nwoko, whose address was not provided, is standing trial on a two-count charge of forgery and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

n

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

n

The prosecutor, ASP Simon Njue, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences in February at Advance Microfinance Bank, No. 41 Egbeda-Idimu Road, Lagos.

n

Njue alleged that the defendant forged and issued a letter of non-indebtedness in the bank’s name to a client without the bank’s authorisation.

n

He alleged that the defendant acted in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by issuing the forged letter.

n

According to him, the offences contravene Sections 168(d) and 365 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

n

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 365 prescribes a three-year jail term for forgery, while Section 168(d) prescribes a two-year jail term for conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

n

The Magistrate, Miss F.R. Ogunkoyode, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1.5 million with two responsible sureties.

n

She adjourned the case until Aug. 11 for mention.

n n