By Sunday Apah
The case of alleged forgery of a deed of transfer against Mr. Joseph Jefia by the federal government has been adjourned to on 17th and 18th of June 2025 for hearing.
It should be recalled that Jefia was brought before the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Abuja Judicial Division, under charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/501/2024, where the Federal Government is the complainant and Joseph Jefia is the defendant.
The case includes five counts, emphasizing that Joseph Jefia, at some point in 2012, forged a deed of transfer dated either March 1 or March 2, 1978, or 1979, with the intent for it to be used as genuine in Nigeria, ultimately to the detriment of the beneficiaries of the estate of the late Chief Harrison Jefia. This act is punishable under Section 1 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M 17 LFN 2004.
Count 2 states that Jefia forged the signature of Chief Harrison Jefia on the aforementioned forged deed of transfer, again intending for it to be used as genuine, violating Section 1(2)(C) of the same Act.
Count 3 alleges that Jefia obtained property by deception, falsely claiming that Chief Harrison Jefia—who was neither a shareholder nor a director of Jefia Properties Ltd—had transferred properties to the company where Joe Jefia’s mother holds majority shares. This action is also punishable under Section 1(2)(C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M 17 LFN 2004.
Count 4 accuses Jefia of forging the signature of the company secretary of Jefia Properties Ltd on a deed of transfer, with the intent for it to be treated as genuine, thus committing an offense under Section 1(2) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M 17 LFN 2004.
In Count 5, it is alleged that on or before April 28, 2021, Jefia presented a forged deed of transfer to the Nigerian Police Force’s Legal Department, knowing it to be false. This act is also punishable under Section 1(2)(C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M 17 LFN 2004.
The DAILY SHINE NEWS team was in court when the case was called for hearing on 14th May 2025, but Jefia’s new solicitor pleaded for an adjournment to enable him to study the case.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to the 17th and 18th of June 2025 for hearing.
