The Nigerian police have arraigned 24 people before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, for allegedly forging their certificates while enrolling for jobs in the Police College.
The case was heard before the Presiding Justice Inyang Ekwo, on Friday.
The Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, is the complainant in the suit, while S. Jonathan and 23 other persons are the 24 defendants.
On the 106 counts, bordering on forgery and impersonation, brought before them, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
“You… sometimes between 2018 to 2020 at the Nigeria Police College Borno, being bound by law to state the truth, did swear on oath, and gave an information that is false and as such committed an offense punishable by law.
“That you…on the same date and place, did assume the name, designation of police officers, and thereby committed an offence punishable by Section 42 of the Police Act…” the charge of the Prosecution counsel, Mathew Omosu, partly read.
Read also: Read also: N24 Million Fraud: EFCC Jails Two Lagos-Based Lawyers
Omosu prayed the court to remand the defendants in a correctional centre pending the resolution of the suit.
Justice Ekwo quizzed the prosecution on how long the defendants had been in custody.
According to the prosecution, the defendants had been detained since July, 2020.
Counsel to the 1st to 8th defendants, Shittu Dan-Shita, made a verbal application for bail.
“In the interim, we have an application for the bail of 1st to 8th defendants,” Dan-Shita said.
The Judge requested the lawyer to file a formal application.
He pointed out that the court would commence its vacation on December 22, but assured that he would hear the motion regardless.
The trial was adjourned until January 25, 26 and 27 next year for trial continuation.
Justice Ekwo ordered the defendants be remanded, until the adjourned date.
In the case at hand, Saidu Jubril represented the 9th to 16th defendants, Adam Ugwanyi was the counsel to 17th to 24th defendants, while the National Human Rights Commission was represented by Mariam Kadril.