Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Monday convicted a former lawmaker, Chuma Nzeribe, of forgery.

Delivering judgment, Mr Halilu held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“I hereby convict the said Chuma Nzeribe, having found him guilty as charged”, the judge ruled.

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) arraigned Mr Nzeribe on four counts of false pretence, impersonation, forgery and cheating.

The EFCC alleged that the lawmaker forged the documents of plot 1306, Cadestral zone, Maitama District belonging to Ishaya Baba.

EFCC had alleged that the defendant was in possession of the statutory right of occupancy bearing the name of Ramatu Alhassan with reference Number MFCT/LA/FCT 1302 dated June 3, 2018.

“I hereby so restitute to the said land owner to take his land forthwith without any delay since he’s the rightful owner.

“With respect to the issue of sentencing, I shall defer the sentence of the said convict to a date in this life when I am sure the long arms of the law will catch up with him.

“Then, the EFCC, IGP will arrest him and bring him before me for me to be able to do the needful by sentencing him accordingly.

“In the main time, sentencing in this situation is thereby deferred”, the judge held.

(NAN)