35-year-old woman docked over alleged maternity certificate forgery

LAGOS— A 35-year-old woman, who allegedly forged a maternity certificate, is now facing charges of conspiracy and attempt to pervert justice. Amaka Nwaba, who resides at 4B, Mortune St., Dopemu, Lagos, yesterday, appeared before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on a two-count charge.
She allegedly conspired with others at large to forge a maternity certificate No. 034180, dated May 12, 2011, and purportedly issued by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
A maternity certificate confirms that a woman is in advanced stage of pregnancy and should set out on maternity leave.
The prosecutor, ASP Felix Ifijen, said the woman committed the offences on May 11, 2011 at the teaching hospital.
According to Ifijen, the certificate was addressed to the Endwell Partners and Co., No. 2, Balogun St., Lagos Island.
He said the forged certificate was intended to be used as evidence before the court to the prejudice of Mr William Obi, of the Endwell Partners and Co., the first prosecution witness, in an ongoing case of theft involving Nwaba.
“The accused forged the maternity certificate with the intention that it be presented as evidence in court in a pending theft case, to the prejudice of the first prosecution witness,” Ifijen said.
He submitted that the forgery contravened Section 363 (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State. Forgery attracts up to 15 years imprisonment in Lagos State.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Philip Ojo granted the accused bail in the sum of N250,000 and two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to April 24 for further hearing.