The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on October 31, 2023 arraigned Emmanuel Sanikpege before Justice Pat Ajoku, of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for forging a letter of attestation and presenting himself as a surety to bail one Umor Bright, a suspect under investigation by the EFCC.
Sanikpege was arraigned on two- count charge bordering on forgery, contrary to Section 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act (CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (2) of the same Act.
One of the count charges reads: “That you Emmanuel Sanikpege on or about the 22nd day of August, 2022, at Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did make a forged document to wit: LETTER OF ATTESTATION RE: Emanuel Sanikpege purportedly from Government Senior Secondary School, Oyigbo, Rivers State, a document which you knew was forged; with intent that the document be acted upon by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as original and genuine; and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2) (c) of the of the Miscellaneous Offences Act (CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (2) of the same Act”.
When the charge was read to Sanikpege, he pleaded “not guilty” to the offence.
In view of his plea, prosecuting EFCC lawyer, B. O. Agala, prayed the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
But the defence lawyer, T. Musa, informed the court of a pending application to bail of his client.
He therefore urged the court to grant the defendant bail to enable him to prepare for his trial.
Justice Ajoku thereafter granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1million and two sureties in like sum, saying the sureties must be civil servants with Rivers State Government or Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to the judge, the sureties must also be on grade level 12 and above and must own a landed property in Port Harcourt with certificates of occupancy to be deposited with the court.
The judge added that the sureties must deposit two recent passport photographs each, or any means of identification with the court registry.
The judge further ruled that the verification of the sureties be carried out by the EFCC.
The judge later adjourned the matter to March 12, 2024 for commencement of trial and remanded the defendant in the Port Harcourt Correctional Service.
Sanikpege was arrested by the Commission in August, 2022 for alleged forgery. He allegedly presented himself as a surety for the bail of one Umor Bright, a suspect under investigation by the EFCC.
To meet the bail conditions, Sanikpege purportedly forged and submitted a fake letter of attestation with a fake signature signed by the principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Oyigbo, Port Harcourt.
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