Judge orders detention of individual accused of falsifying stamp and autograph of late attorney

A Magistrate Court in Aba North, Abia State, has ordered the remand of Ekeke Nnamdi in police custody due to allegations of forgery involving a deceased lawyer's seal and signature, specifically those of Agbai Igwe.

n

The suspect, who claimed to be a legal practitioner, allegedly used the forged seal and signature to create a deed of power of attorney for Okoro Onyekachi Christiana, according to the prosecution.

n

The charges against Ekeke Nnamdi, a 43-year-old man, are outlined in a three-count charge with the number MAN/182c/2026, brought by the Commissioner of Police, which alleges that he knowingly used a deceased person's seal to prepare a document.

n

This action is said to be punishable under Section 467 (1) (b) of the criminal code, cap 80, laws of Abia state of Nigeria, 2005, as the suspect was aware that Agbai Igwe had passed away two years prior to the alleged offense.

n

When the charges were read to him, Ekeke Nnamdi pleaded not guilty, and the Nigerian Bar Association, Aba Branch, represented by its chairman, Charles Onuchukwu, was present as the complainant in the suit.

n

Counsel to the suspect, Iheanyi Anyamele, requested bail for his client, but the prosecutor, Uzoamaka Emmanuel, opposed this, citing concerns that Ekeke Nnamdi could interfere with police investigations if released.

n

Magistrate Lawrence Udo Okite ultimately ruled that the suspect be remanded in police custody, pending further proceedings.

n

The charges against Ekeke Nnamdi include conspiring to commit felony, specifically impersonation and forgery, which is punishable under Section 516 A(a) of the criminal code, cap 80, vol III, laws of Abia state of Nigeria, 2005.

n

Another count alleges that Ekeke Nnamdi falsely represented himself as a legal practitioner, using the name of the late Barr. Agbai Igwe, by preparing a deed of power of attorney for Okoro Onyekachi Christiana, an action punishable under Section 484 of the criminal code.

n

A third count states that Ekeke Nnamdi forged the seal and signature of Barr Agbai Igwe on May 12, 2026, and used it to prepare a power of attorney, allegedly pretending to be a lawyer who had been dead for two years, which is punishable under Section 467 (1) (b) of the criminal code.