EFAB Properties CEO's Absence Delays Forgery Trial in Abuja Court
The scheduled arraignment of Fabian Nwaora, the Chief Executive Officer of EFAB Properties Limited, on multiple forgery charges was unexpectedly postponed at an Abuja High Court on Monday due to the defendant's failure to appear for proceedings. Nwaora faces a comprehensive seven-count charge of alleged forgery brought forward by the Inspector-General of Police, marking a significant legal development in the corporate sector.
Conflicting Accounts Over Court Service
During the court hearing, prosecuting counsel Wisdom Madaki informed the court that the defendant had been properly served with the charge sheet and expressed genuine surprise at Nwaora's absence from the arraignment. "We have followed all proper procedures for service and expected the defendant to be present for his arraignment today," Madaki stated during proceedings.
In a contrasting narrative, the defendant's counsel, Ezekiel Egbo, presented a different explanation, claiming his client had traveled out of town before the court documents were served on his secretary. This account appeared to directly contradict the prosecution's assertion of proper service, creating a procedural dispute that required judicial resolution.
Judge Grants Adjournment Request
Following the conflicting accounts, prosecuting counsel Madaki formally requested an adjournment to establish a definitive date for the arraignment to proceed. Trial judge Aliyu Shafa carefully considered the application and subsequently granted the request, officially adjourning the case to April 22, 2026, to allow for proper resolution of the service dispute and ensure the defendant's presence.
Detailed Allegations in the Charge
The formal charge, marked FHC/HC/CR/748/2025, outlines serious allegations against the EFAB Properties CEO. According to police documentation, Nwaora is accused of:
- Forging an international passport numbered A01646675 in the name of Kenneth Chinedu Ogbogu, purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service around April 5, 2024
- Presenting the allegedly forged passport document as genuine to authorities
- Altering a certificate of incorporation belonging to Ke Keneco Investment Ltd with registration number 619680, allegedly signed by A. Almustapha, Registrar-General
- Forging a company letterhead for fraudulent purposes
- Creating a forged National Identification Number (NIN) purportedly issued by the National Identity Management Commission
Legal Framework and Potential Penalties
The police have indicated that the alleged offences contravene specific sections of the Penal Code, including Sections 362, 364 and 366, which address various aspects of forgery and document falsification. These sections carry significant penalties under Nigerian law, potentially including substantial fines and imprisonment if convictions are secured.
The adjournment provides both legal teams additional time to prepare their respective cases and address the procedural dispute regarding proper service of court documents. The April 2026 hearing date now represents a critical juncture in this high-profile corporate forgery case that has attracted considerable attention within Nigeria's business and legal communities.
