The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the five-count charge of conspiracy and forgery filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) against an 89-year-old businessman, Christian Eze, and a 75-year-old woman, Josephine Obineme.
Justice James Kolawole Omotosho, in his judgment on Wednesday, held that the prosecution failed to establish a credible case against the defendants, describing the police investigation as “vague, watery, and full of doubts.”
The judge ruled that there was no evidence linking the defendants to the alleged offences, adding that the police failed to conduct a thorough investigation before filing charges.
The defendants were accused of conspiracy, forgery, unlawful conversion of property, and fraudulent claims of ownership of two companies—Jefrics Nigeria Limited and Zecon Nigeria Limited—belonging to Eze’s late elder brother.
The alleged offences were said to violate Sections 1, 2, and 6 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, which prescribe up to 21 years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
According to the police, Eze and Obineme falsified company registration documents at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2005, altering share allotments to make Eze the Managing Director and Obineme an Executive Director.
The 89-year-old was also accused of selling a petrol station in Lafia, Nasarawa State, for ₦25 million and converting the proceeds for personal use.
During the trial, the court admitted about 20 exhibits presented by the prosecution. However, in his defence, Eze denied any involvement in the alleged forgery, insisting he had never visited the CAC and knew nothing about company share allotments or amendments.
He said two lawyers, identified as Otti and Kamaldeen Raji, were responsible for managing the companies’ affairs and should be investigated.
Obineme, on her part, maintained that she was merely a former staff member of the companies and had no knowledge of the alleged offences.
Justice Omotosho said the testimonies of both defendants were consistent, credible, and unshaken under cross-examination. He faulted the police for failing to investigate the two lawyers whose names appeared prominently in the alleged forgery, describing the omission as “fatal” to the prosecution’s case.
“I believe the evidence of the two defendants as witnesses of truth. The police’s claim that they could not locate the two lawyers for investigation is doubtful, and such doubt must be resolved in favour of the defendants,” the judge ruled.
Justice Omotosho concluded that the police were not diligent in their investigation and that the testimonies of their three witnesses were unreliable and of no probative value.
He therefore discharged and acquitted both defendants of all five counts.
