A Magistrate’s Court in Akure, Ondo State, has arraigned a legal practitioner, Thompson Akinyemi, over alleged conspiracy and forgery involving a disputed property valued at N50 million.
Akinyemi, a former chairman of a branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Ondo State, was brought before the court by the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC).
The commission filed a two-count charge against the lawyer, alleging that he and two other suspects, who are currently at large, conspired to forge documents relating to the sale of a parcel of land in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences were committed on June 3, 2024, within the Ore Magisterial District.
The disputed property, situated at Showboy Junction along the Benin-Lagos Expressway in Ore, was allegedly owned by the late Pa Samuel Oladele Ajero.
SPFACC alleged that Akinyemi and another suspect identified as Adefusi later sold the property for N50 million in July 2024.
The commission further accused the suspects of forging the late Ajero’s signature on a purported land sale agreement and purchase receipt.
According to the prosecution, the alleged documents were backdated to June 3, 2024, to make it appear that the deceased had authorised the transaction before his illness and subsequent death.
SPFACC alleged that the signature was forged while Ajero was receiving treatment at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife.
The first count accused Akinyemi and the two suspects at large of conspiring to commit a felony, specifically the alleged forgery of a land sale agreement and purchase receipt dated June 3, 2024.
The second count alleged that the defendants forged the deceased’s signature as the vendor on the purported agreement and receipt.
The alleged offences were said to contravene Sections 1(1), 516 and 467 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
Akinyemi pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Following his plea, his counsel, led by Banjo Ayenakin, applied for bail on liberal terms.
Magistrate Taiwo Lebi subsequently granted the defendant bail on self-recognition, citing his standing as a legal practitioner in the state and before the court.
The magistrate, however, adjourned the case until November 20, 2026, for trial.
Speaking after the proceedings, SPFACC officials said the commission had been investigating the alleged property fraud involving the late Ajero for some time.
The commission disclosed that its investigation had also extended to some bank officials and a man identified as Tunde, who allegedly claimed to be the last-born of the deceased.
SPFACC said the two other suspects allegedly connected to the land transaction remain at large, adding that more arrests and arraignments could follow as investigations continue.
