An Ondo-based legal practitioner, Olusegun Agunloye, has been arraigned in court for allegedly forging the will of a deceased client, Benjamin Chibuzor Ejelonu.
Agunloye appeared before the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Akure, where he was accused of presenting a fake will for Ejelonu.
The lawyer, whose address was not provided in court, faces two charges of conspiracy and forgery.
Police prosecutor Nelson Akintimehin informed the court that Agunloye committed the alleged offences on September 7, 2023. He added that the lawyer reportedly conspired with the deceased’s sister, Aminat Ijeoma Bakare, who is currently on trial in connection with the same case.
Akintimehin stated that Bakare, 72, worked with Agunloye to forge the will and submit it to the Probate Registry of the State High Court in Akure. This action is in violation of Sections 516 and 467(2)(f) of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006.
Agunloye pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Akintimehin requested an adjournment to enable him to gather his witnesses and consolidate the charges against the defendant.
Defense counsel Kehinde Osadugbe urged the court to grant bail on self-recognizance, citing Agunloye’s status as a practicing lawyer and arguing that the alleged offences occurred while he was fulfilling his legal duties.
The prosecutor opposed the bail application, contending that Agunloye posed a flight risk and had previously misused administrative bail granted to him by the police.
In his ruling, Magistrate Kolawole Aro granted bail to Agunloye in the amount of N2,000,000, requiring two sureties of equal value.
The magistrate adjourned the case until September 26 for the hearing and consolidation of the charges.
