A 40-year-old man, Samson Ola, on Thursday appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court sitting in Isabo, Ogun State, for allegedly forging the seal, stamp and signature of a firm and impersonating as a licensed surveyor.

Ola, who resides at No 13 Ibara-Orile, Oke-Ata, in Abeokuta, is facing a two-count charge of forgery and impersonation, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, ASP Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences between 2021 and 2024 in Abeokuta.

Mr Olu-Balogun alleged that the defendant in pretext to be a registered surveyor, forged the seal, stamp and signature of Zucams Nig. Ltd., a survey consulting firm.

He further alleged that Ola impersonated a licensed surveyor working for the company, an office he was not entitled to hold.

He said defendant used the forged seal, stamp and signature to produce fake survey plan to different clients

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravenes the provisions of Sections 467 and 484 of the Criminal Code, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Ogun 2006.

The Magistrate, A.K. Araba, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum.

She said the surety must be a licensed bondsman registered with the Ogun State Judiciary, adding that the defendant should be remanded in Ibara Correctional service centre, pending the perfection of his bail condition.

Ms Araba thereafter adjourned the case until March 18, for hearing.

(NAN)