A lawyer, Okpale Ojikpa, based in Makurdi, Benue State, has been arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court III in Lafia, Nasarawa State, for allegedly using fake court judgements to garnish the accounts of Nasarawa State government.
The alleged act contravenes Section 161 of the Penal Code.
Counsel to the Nasarawa State government, Egye Usman Aliyu, alleged that records before the court showed that Ojikpa used fake court judgments to obtain garnishee orders on the accounts of the state government.
Garnishee orders are used to recover debts from debtors.
Aliyu said Ojikpa’s alleged act led to a delay in payment of salaries, putting citizens’ lives at risk.
He claimed that the situation has increased insecurity, death and near-total collapse of public institutions, including schools and health facilities.
He accused Ojikpa of obtaining three different injunctions in three different courts to garnish the account of the state government by hiding the facts of the case.
Aliyu said Ojikpa illegally obtained Orders from the court on several occasions, which is considered to be fraud contrary to Section 163 of the panel code.
The Magistrate, Emmanuel Jatau Esq, granted bail to Ojikpa and adjourned the case till January 16, 2022 for hearing.
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