The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has charged three suspects before an Abuja High Court for allegedly forging the signature of Senate President David Mark in an attempt to fraudulently withdraw the sum of N45 million from his bank account.
Emeka Ukor, Anthony Uzonwanne and Babayemi Bukola were on Wednesday arraigned before Justice S. E Aladedoyinbo on a seven count charge bordering on conspiracy and forgery.
They were arrested by operatives of the commission following a complaint from the Senate President that the accused persons conspired and forged a FinBank cheque leaflet with No. 00684074 dated August 28, 2009 in an attempt to fraudulently withdraw the sum of N45million from his account.
The offence committed contravenes section 286 (1) of the Penal Code Act cap.532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and is punishable under section 287 of the same Act.
During the hearing of the case, prosecution witness Benedict Agweye who was led in evidence by counsel to EFCC, Shata Jamila, told the court that the FinBank cheque with which the accused persons attempted to pull out money from Senate President’s account was forged.
Agweye said he came to this conclusion after carrying out series of forensic analysis on the document, including simulation of the signatures, stereomicroscopic and spectral analysis which revealed that the author of the known specimen signature was not the author of the disputed FinBank cheque leaflet.
Justice Aladedoyinbo adjourned the case till March 10, 2014 for continuation of hearing.