BREAKING: Bank Official Faces Court Over Alleged Forgery of Non-Indebtedness Certificate
A staff member of a microfinance bank has been brought before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over allegations of issuing a forged non-indebtedness certificate without the approval of the financial institution.
The defendant, Henry Nwoko, 37, is facing a two-count charge relating to alleged forgery and conduct capable of causing a breach of public peace. During Friday’s court session, he pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
According to the prosecution, the alleged incident occurred in February 2026 at Advance Microfinance Bank, located along Egbeda-Idimu Road in Lagos.
The prosecuting counsel, ASP Simon Njue, informed the court that Nwoko allegedly prepared and issued a letter confirming that a customer had no outstanding debt with the bank. Prosecutors claim the document was produced in the bank’s name without official authorization from the institution.
The prosecution further argued that issuing the alleged forged document had the potential to create disputes and undermine confidence in the bank’s official records.
The charges were filed under provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which criminalize forgery and actions likely to disturb public peace. Under the law, forgery may attract a prison sentence upon conviction, while conduct likely to cause a breach of peace also carries legal penalties.
After listening to both parties, the presiding Magistrate, F.R. Ogunkoyode, granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦1.5 million. The court ordered that the bail conditions include two responsible sureties who must satisfy the requirements set by the court.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until August 11, when the case is expected to come up for further proceedings.
As the legal process continues, the allegations remain before the court, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in accordance with Nigerian law.
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