The Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on Wednesday delivered judgment in the matter of the State versus Samson Orijugo, Provost of Adonai Advanced Institute of Management, convicting the defendant on a two-count charge of forgery and sentencing him to a term of three (3) years’ imprisonment.
The Court, presided over by Justice Modupe Nico-Clay, found that in 2015, at Badagry, the Defendant forged a notification of result on the official letterhead of Lagos State University (“LASU”), falsely representing that Adonai Advanced Institute of Management was affiliated with LASU. The forgery was issued to one John Chibuzor Okoro, thereby inducing the student and his family to rely on the document under the false pretense of official university affiliation.
The prosecution adduced credible evidence, including testimony from three witnesses and seven exhibits, demonstrating beyond reasonable doubt that the notification was forged. Correspondence from LASU confirmed that no affiliation existed between LASU and Adonai Advanced Institute. The Defendant’s testimony in his defence was rejected.
The Court emphasized that the offence related to the act of forgery of the notification, rather than the issuance of any degree certificate, and held that the Defendant, as an administrator of the institution, was aware of the falsity of the representation.
Accordingly, the Court convicted the Defendant on both counts and sentenced him to imprisonment for a period of three (3) years.#newsafro_
