German-Based Nigerian Pastor To Be Tried For Forgery, Land Grabbing

he trial of a German-based Nigerian pastor, Ben Emmanuel Odigie, for alleged land grabbing and forgery of land documents has been slated for Wednesday, December 13, at the Lagos Magistrate Court in Igbosere.

In a three-count charge slammed against the 52-year-old pastor, the Nigeria Police Force said the defendant, in 2015 in Oregun, Ikeja, forged purchase receipts dated July 13, 1993, in the name of one M. O. Olota and a land purchase agreement also in Mr. Olota’s name.

The prosecution said Mr. Odigie did so with the intent that the forged documents may be acted upon and used as genuine, whether in Lagos or elsewhere, to the prejudice of the Eshilokun Family of Oregun and other persons “who were induced to act or refrain from doing any act in the belief that the documents were genuine.”

The police said Mr. Odigie, on the same date and place, “fraudulently used” the forged purchase receipts and the undated land purchase agreement.

He was also accused of acting “in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace” by entering a land “which is in actual and peaceful possession of the Eshilokun family.”

The prosecution said the alleged offense is contrary to and punishable under sections 52 and 356 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Mr. Odigie pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.