Fake Surety arraigned by EFCC in Port Harcourt for forgery

Emmanuel Sanikpege has been brought before the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of forging a document that he used as a surety for a suspect named Umor Bright.

As reported by the EFCC on its social media platforms, Sanikpege was arraigned on October 31, 2023, before Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He is facing allegations of “forging a letter of attestation and presenting himself as a surety to bail one Umor Bright, a suspect under investigation by the EFCC.”

Emmanuel Sanikpege has been arraigned on two counts of forgery. The charges are in violation of Section 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act (CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007, and are punishable under Section 1(2) of the same act.

One of the charges reads, in part: “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.”

Emmanuel Sanikpege pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, and the prosecution counsel, B. O. Agala, requested a trial commencement date.

On the other hand, Sanikpege’s counsel, T. Musa, requested the court to grant bail to the defendant to enable him to prepare for his trial.

Justice P. I. Ajoku granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N1 million. Additionally, two sureties, who must be civil servants on grade level 12 and above and own a landed property in Port Harcourt with certificates of occupancy, are to provide bail in the same sum, to be deposited with the court.

The case has been adjourned until March 12, 2024, for the commencement of the trial.