An Ikeja Magistrates' Court on Wednesday fixed May 14 to begin the trial of 23 students of Police College charged with falsification of their educational qualifications.
The students were first arraigned before the Magistrate, Mr Olufemi Isaacs, on March 12 for alleged forgery.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge and were each granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, their various counsel urged the court to strike out the matter.
Police Prosecutor, ASP.? Barth Nwaokeye, however, objected and informed the court that the police already had their witnesses and were ready to proceed with the trial.
Nwaokeye had alleged that Johnson Adejobi, Adamu Yusuf,? Jerome Oluwasegun, Ujah Onu, Patrick Adamu, Ebenezer Gana,? Ayuba Sanni, Isa Sunday, Zakari Musa and Lawal Adeniyi, were amongst those that falsified their qualifications.
Also arraigned were Samuel Ajaji,? Grace Buba,? Suraju Birisiyu,? Owolabi Matanni,? Adamu Jubrin,? Uhini Edicha,? Ukwumonu Ibrahim,? Ibrahim Abu,? Watti Olanrewaju,? Oche Rose,? Alhaji Adejoh, Yemi Ajayi and John Oko.
The accused persons are all aged between 22 and 37 years.
The prosecutor had alleged that they falsely made statements variously that they were holders of the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and National Diploma (ND) from various institutions in the country.
According to him, the defendants do not have any of the qualifications and their false statements had influenced the recruiting officers to enlist them into the Nigeria Police Force.
Nwaokeye said their offence contravened Section 96 of the Criminal Code, Vol. 44, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
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