3 men charged with possession of fake Nigerian passport

Three men — Lawal Akeem, Oyebamiji Oladiran, and Abiodun Habeeb — were on Monday docked at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over alleged possession of fake Nigerian passport.

The accused — Akeem, 30; Oladiran, 41; and Habeeb, 24 — are standing trial on a two-count charge borderign on possession of fake Nigerian passport.

Akeem resides at No. 7, Prophet Ayodele St., Isheri, Lagos, while Oladiran and Habeeb, live at Nos.11B, Odukomoya St., Shangisha, and 38, Obey St., Aroloya off, Adeniji Adele on Lagos Island respectively.

The prosecutor, Mr P. O. Okebukola, of the State Security Service, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 16 at 9.30 a.m. at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

He said that the trio conspired with anoother at large and forged a Nigerian passport.

The offence contravened Section 363 (1), (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 363 (1) provides three years imprisonment for offenders.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Daniel Abbe, urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.

In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs A. O. Adedayo, admitted the accused to bails in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

She said that addresses of the sureties should be verified and adjourned the case to July 1 for mention.