Four Cybercafé Operators in Abia Remanded for Document Forgery

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Cybercafé operators in Abia face legal consequences over alleged forgery and impersonation of legal professionals

A Magistrates’ Court in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State has ordered the remand of four cybercafé operators for their involvement in forgery and impersonation. The operators, identified as Onuoha Ikechukwu (40), Daniel Lawrence (27), Odinaka Onyeforo (37), and Ndukwe Chukwu (50), were charged with conspiracy, impersonation, and forgery of legal documents, including Powers of Attorney—an offense typically reserved for certified legal practitioners.

The Abia cybercafé forgery case revealed that the accused individuals operated their illegal activities at locations on Pound Road Extension in Aba. Court documents indicated that Onuoha Ikechukwu was found in possession of over 70 forged Powers of Attorney, some of which bore the names of deceased lawyers. Their illicit operations involved the use of stolen legal letterheads, stamps, and seals to create fraudulent documents, which were then sold to unsuspecting clients.

Prosecutor Uzoamaka Emmanuel informed the court that the actions of the accused violated several sections of the Criminal Code, including impersonating licensed surveyors and legal professionals. The Abia cybercafé forgery case also involved the use of forged names, including Van Abakwuo and Mr. Izuchukwu Onyeoma, on fraudulent Deeds of Power of Attorney.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges, and their bail application is set to be considered on October 25. In response to the rising trend of forgery, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Aba branch, Charles Oluchukwu, expressed concern over how such operators had severely impacted the legal profession. He highlighted that the Bar had passed a resolution to prosecute anyone involved in these fraudulent activities.

The Abia cybercafé forgery case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by legal authorities to crack down on illegal document creation. The public is urged to avoid patronizing unlicensed operators to prevent falling victim to such fraudulent schemes.