Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court, Apo, Abuja, on Monday ordered the remand of lawyer Victor Giwa in police custody after his arrest in Lagos on allegations of forgery and impersonation.
Giwa is standing trial alongside a co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola, who is still at large. The court had, on September 15, issued a bench warrant for their arrest after both failed to appear for arraignment.
At Monday’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Theophilus Silas, presented Giwa before the court and informed the judge that security operatives were still working to apprehend the second defendant. He urged the court to remand Giwa under Sections 293 and 43(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
However, Giwa, who represented himself in the absence of his lawyer, opposed the prosecution’s application. He argued that the cited provisions did not apply to his case and prayed the court to grant him bail on health grounds, saying his absence at the last sitting was not meant to undermine the court.
“I am not feeling fine and have been advised to avoid stroke. Due to my health condition, I should be released on bail so I can recover and be strong enough for trial,” he pleaded.
Justice Onwuegbuzie, however, ruled that Giwa, being a lawyer, ought to have filed a formal bail application rather than making an oral request. He subsequently ordered his remand in police custody and adjourned the case to October 8 for arraignment.
