NWEZE JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): The appellant was a work-study candidate, a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria engaged in private studies at the Kwara State Polytechnic. He found himself in conflict with the law. This cost him his name. It also cost him the source of his sustenance, namely, his job.
At the Magistrates’ Court, Ilorin, he was arraigned on a First Information Report (hereinafter called FIR). The FIR alleged conspiracy and forgery against him under sections 97(1) and 304 of the Penal Code. A summary of the facts will shed more light on the sequence of events leading to his present predicament.
The appellant with two others were alleged to have forged a statement of result (exhibit P4). It was purportedly issued by the Kwara State Polytechnic. He was alleged to have presented the forged result to his employer, the Central Bank of Nigeria, for the enhancement of his status in the bank.
The problem started when the bank wanted a confirmation of the said result fro…