An estranged son-in-law, through the Lagos State Government, on Monday, dragged his father-in-law, Joseph Osula, before the state High Court in Ikeja for allegedly forging a Land Use Charge annual bill.
Osula, who was arraigned before the court for allegedly forging the Land Use Charge of a property at Oladipupo Diya Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, reportedly changed the name on the document to that of one Prince Bunmi Oguntolu.
The 80-year-old was also accused of conducting himself in a manner that caused a breach of public peace.
Osula pleaded not guilty to the three counts preffered against him.
Osula, according to the state prosecutor, Y. G. Oshoala, allegedly committed the offence between 2015 and 2016.
The matter, however, took a twist when the defendant’s lawyer, Chief S. Seriki, asked the court to grant his client bail, adding that the complainant was Osula’s estranged son-in-law.
He said, “My Lord, the complainant in this matter is the defendant’s son-in-law. He dragged the defendant to court because he has divorced his daughter. The defendant’s daughter and the complainant both stay in England and they have four children together.
“The defendant gave the alleged forged documents to his daughter to help with the maintenance of the four children produced by the marriage. The same documents, which the complainant said were forged, have been certified by the land use office.”
The presiding judge, Justice Josephine Oyefeso, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum.
The judge also ordered that the defendant should not be remanded in prison custody on account of his health and age, but ordered that the bail conditions must be perfected within 30 days.
The matter was adjourned till May 20 for trial to commence.
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