By Edith Tsokar

‎A 32 year- old man, Godfrey Ohwokevwo, on Friday, appeared before a Wuse Magistrates’ Court, Zone II, Abuja, for allegedly using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to forge teachers’ registration certificates and professional licences.

‎Ohwokevwo , who resides at No. 17 Kaura Close, Narayi, Kaduna State, is being tried for alleged charged of forgery, cheating by impersonation and possession of forged documents.

‎He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

‎The prosecution Counsel, Mr Stanley Medugu, alleged that Ohwokevwo, sometime between 2025 and 2026, falsely presented himself as an authorised representative and consultant of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

‎TRCN is responsible for the regulation and registration of teachers in Nigeria.

‎Medugu alleged that the defendant created a fraudulent Facebook, WhatsApp accounts and a website to attract teachers seeking professional registration and teaching licences.

‎He alleged that one of the complainants, Chidiebere Ochumba, paid the sum of N45,000 into a Wema Bank account bearing the name Teachers’ Registration Consultancy.

‎He said that the payment was made under the pretence of facilitating the issuance of a genuine TRCN certificate and professional teaching licence.

‎The prosecutor further alleged that another complainant, Uju Onuoha, paid N45,000 into a VFD Microfinance Bank account bearing the defendant’s name.

‎He said that the money was collected by the defendant for the same purpose.

‎Medugu equally alleged that the defendant subsequently generated and issued purported TRCN certificates and professional teaching licences bearing the forged signature of the council’s Registrar, Dr Ronke Soyombo.

‎He told the court that the council, however, confirmed the documents as fake.

‎The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant admitted using AI tools and Google platforms to generate the certificates, licences and the registrar’s signature.

‎The counsel to the defendant, Mr Ibrahim Turaki applied for bail of the defendant, urging the court to consider the period he had spent in custody.

‎He said that the defendant had spent 54 days in custody following his transfer from Kaduna on Sept. 11.

‎He argued that the defendant would not interfere with the investigation or commit further offences if granted bail.

‎The defence counsel also urged the court to consider the defendant’s family circumstances, including his recent marriage and pregnant wife.

‎The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail application, citing Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

‎He argued that the alleged offences attracted sentences exceeding three years and required a formal bail application supported by an affidavit.

‎According to him, the offences contravene Sections 363, 364, 320, 324 and 366 of the Penal Code.

‎Earlier, Ngozi Agbapuonwu, a Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Justice announced her appearance as Counsel watching brief for TRCN, the nominal complainant

‎The Magistrate, Musa Eneye, held that the alleged offences were felonies and not mere misdemeanours.

‎He said that an affidavit was necessary to establish the circumstances justifying bail and to demonstrate that the defendant would comply with the conditions stipulated by law.

‎“The offences listed against the defendant are not mere misdemeanours, which are otherwise simple offences, but felonies, which attract a greater consequence,” the magistrate said.

‎He cited the Supreme Court decision in Offiong and COP (1957), which established that bail applications in such circumstances should be made through a motion supported by an affidavit.

‎Eneye stressed that relevant information, including medical conditions and other circumstances that could influence the courts discretion, must be formally presented.

‎“It is not to be said orally,” he stated.

‎Consequently, Eneye declined to grant bail to the defendant.

‎He assured the parties that a properly filed application would be considered and adjourned the case until Jan. 26, 2027, for further proceeding. (NAN)

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

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