JOHN INYANG OKORO, JCA (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of Abia State High Court holden at Umuahia in charge No. HU/17C/2003 delivered on 21st July, 2010 by T. U. Uzokwe, J wherein the learned trial Judge found the appellant guilty of a 24 count charge of forgery, stealing and uttering. In all, counts 1 and 2 are of stealing, counts 3-13 are of forgery while counts 14-24 are uttering.
The prosecution called five witnesses and tendered several exhibits. The appellant testified in his defence.
The gist of the prosecution's case against the appellant is that between the months of November, 1999 and 2002, the appellant who was the Director of Finance and Supply at Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA) Umuahia, forged a total of 11 cheques and knowingly and fraudulently uttered the forged cheques which he cashed at Hallmark Bank Plc Aba, Umuahia and Umuchukwu Community Bank Umuahia and stole a total amount cashed to the tune of N2,087,950.00.
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