Professor Sani Ibrahim was remanded to the Correctional Service on Tuesday by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Jabi, Abuja, for conspiracy, “forgery, and criminal trespass.”
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, is currently prosecuting Prof. Ibrahim of Ahmadu Bello University’s Biochemistry Department, Mr. Mubarak Musa Saliu, and others (at large) in a four-count charge pertaining to a plot of land in Guzape, Abuja, that belongs to NEXTDORA NIG. LTD., with RC. No: 1190723.
“That you, Mubarak Musa Saliu ‘M’ of S/O Williams Utako, Abuja, Prof. Sani Ibrahim ‘M’ of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and others now at large, sometimes in December, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a felony to wit: forgery and criminal trespass, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act.
“That you, Mubarak Musa Saliu ‘M’ of S/O Williams Utako, Abuja, Prof. Sani Ibrahim ‘M’ of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and others now at large, sometimes in December, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently and dishonestly used as genuine, a document by changing the RC. No of NEXTDORA LTD, from RC. 1190723 to RC. 564478 NETCAP INTERSWITCH, which you knew or have reason to believe to be forged document and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act.
“That you, Mubarak Musa Saliu ‘M’ of S/O Williams Utako, Abuja, Prof. Sani Ibrahim ‘M’ of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and others now at large, sometimes in December, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession a forged document wherein the RC. No of NEXTDORA LTD was changed from RC. 1190723 to RC. 564478 NETCAP INTERSWITCH, knowing same to be forged and intending that same shall fraudulently or dishonestly be used as genuine and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 368 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act.
“That you, Mubarak Musa Saliu ‘M’ of S/O Williams Utako, Abuja, Prof. Sani Ibrahim ‘M’ of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and others now at large, on December 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority, entered into PLOT NO 4411 Guzape, Abuja, belonging to NEXTDORA NIG LTD, with intent to commit an offence and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 348 of the Penal Code Act”, the charges read.
The case was filed on April 18, 2025, before Justice Ademuyiwa Oyeyipo. The defendants did not show up for the three consecutive postponed days, thus, the matter was summoned for arraignment on Tuesday.
On the court’s order, the police visited ABU Zaria and arrested Prof. Ibrahim, the second defendant in the criminal matter, for arraignment today after he had avoided appearing in court for two sessions despite being served by the Nigeria Police Force.
However, when the accusations were read to him on Tuesday, he entered a not guilty plea.
In the meantime, on May 20, 2025, his primary attorney, R.O. Atabo (SAN), filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection contesting the court’s authority to hear the case.
In addition to criticising the alleged inconsistencies in the prosecution counsel’s seal and his name, the second defendant’s counsel requested that the court dismiss the case due to incompetence and lack of jurisdiction.
“That the said charge is purportedly signed by one F.A.O Longe, Esq, whilst the seal of legal practitioners embossed thereon is that of LONGE FRANK OMOKHOJE.
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“That by the combined effect of the provisions of Sections 2(1) & 24 of the Legal Practitioners Act and decision of the Apex Court in YAKI VS. BAGUDU (2015) 18 NWLR (PT. 1491) 288, the charge is null and void in law for NOT being signed by a legal practitioner known to law.
“That the said Counts 1 & 4 are incompetent because the 2nd Defendant is absolutely protected by Section 47 of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532, in that he acted pursuant to the lawful orders of this Honourable Court”, the Preliminary Objection read in part.
The presiding judge decided the preliminary objection in favour of the prosecution counsel after receiving a legal point of contention.
Even though the Defendant’s Counsel requested bail for Professor Ibrahim orally on Tuesday, the Prosecution Counsel, Barrister, quickly opposed. Longe, Frank.
According to Justice Oyeyipo’s decision, Prof. Ibrahim was placed under detention in correctional facilities until June 19, 2025, for a hearing, until a suitable bail application was submitted and discussed.
