A former Executive Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB, Mrs Omotola Olutola, has testified against a businessman, Bernard Nzenwa, charged with the issuance of false document.
Nzenwa is standing trial alongside his company, Omega Maritine and Energy Ltd on a count charge of issuance of false document, before an Ikeja Special Offences Court.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Olutola, who described herself as a legal practitioner and retired banker, identified a document in contention, which the court had previously admitted as Exhibit C1 in the matter.
She was led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr Gabriel Akaogu.
The witness identified the document in contention titled, “Bond For The Re-Exportation Of Imported Goods Delivered Without Payment Of Import Duties,”
Olutola denied being the owner of the signature on the said document.
“This is absolutely not my signature. It does not look even remotely like mine,” she told the court.
The witness was given a plain sheet of A4 paper upon which as ordered by the court, signed her signature ten times on it.
The prosecutor thereafter cited Section 101 of the Evidence Act and applied to tender the signature specimens as evidence before the court, which was admitted in evidence following no objections from defence counsel, Mr Clinton Eaezie.
Under cross-examination by the defence counsel the witness told the court that she left the bank five years ago and bond in her name would be signed by her.
“Bond at that time was ink and not electronic signature,” she said.
The prosecution alleged that Nzenwa, his company and one Dr. Oluchi Nzenwa, (now at large), sometimes on March 9, 2011, issued a false document titled, “Bond For The Re-Exportation Of Imported Goods Delivered Without Payment Of Import Duties,” which he purported to have emanated from GTB
The prosecution submitted that the alleged offence contravened Section 360(1)(b) and punishable under section 364(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
Justice Ramon Oshodi adjourned the case until June 14 for continuation of trial.
