A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Aba South, Abia State, has ordered the remand of four cybercafé operators to a correctional facility for their involvement in forgery.
The accused, Onuoha Ikechukwu (40), Daniel Lawrence (27), Odinaka Onyeforo (37), and Ndukwe Chukwu (50), face charges of conspiracy, impersonation, and forgery of Power of Attorney documents—tasks legally reserved for qualified legal practitioners.
Presided over by His Worship Erinma Maduagwu, the court learned that the suspects operated at Pound Road Extension, Aba, near the court, engaging in illegal activities for years.
The first defendant, Onuoha Ikechukwu, was found in possession of over 70 forged Powers of Attorney, bearing the names of both living and deceased lawyers.
The defendants were reportedly patronised by unsuspecting clients, including lawyers, for the preparation of legal documents.
They allegedly stole letterheads and, in collaboration with syndicates still at large, used stamps and seals of deceased lawyers to create fraudulent documents.
Prosecutor Uzoamaka Emmanuel charged the defendants with violations of Sections 516A(a), 484, and 465, all punishable under Section 467(1)(b) of the Criminal Code of Abia State.
The defendants were further accused of impersonating licensed surveyors and legal practitioners, forging Power of Attorney documents under the names of lawyers such as Van Abakwuo and Izuchukwu Onyeoma.
The court heard that the group had forged numerous legal documents over the years, misleading clients with fraudulent details and unauthorized legal representation.
