By JOY AKINSANYA

Three men were on Friday arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrates? Court sitting in Isabo for allegedly forging a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) enrollment and employment document.

The defendants, James Bamidele, 65, Joseph Awolope, 29, and Sesan Adebayo, whose addresses were not provided, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and forgery.

The prosecutor, SP Henry Obiaze, told the court that the defendants conspired and committed the offences within the magisterial division, sometime between July 2024 and March.

Obiaze alleged that the defendants forged a CBN enrollment letter dated March 1, with reference numbers 005/1529 and 005/1429, with which he used to defraud several job seekers.

He also said the defendants allegedly forged an appointment letter dated July 22, 2024, with reference number 009/CBN/Vol.2/GDS, to defraud several job seekers.

According to him, the offences contravene Sections 516, and 467 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mrs Olubanke Odumosu-Akeba, granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N2.5 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

She ordered that one of sureties must be a traditional ruler, who must reside within the court?s jurisdiction.

She added that the defendants must submit their international passports and passport photographs to the court.

She, however, held that the defendants be remanded in a correctional centre, pending the perfection of their bail, and adjourned the case until April 24 for hearing (NAN)

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