“They Filed 26 Charges, But I’ve Seen Nothing — Abuja Lawyer Cries Foul”

DDM News

ABUJA — Abuja-based legal practitioner, Abu Arome, has denied receiving any formal charge or court summons in relation to an alleged 26-count forgery case filed by the Nigeria Police.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the charge, which reportedly includes three Ghanaians, Sam Jonah, a Knight of the British Empire (KBE); Kojo Ansah; and Victor Quainoo, alongside Mobus Property Nigeria Ltd, centers around a legal tussle involving ownership of River Park Estate in Abuja.

The charge, filed on June 26, 2025, and marked CR/402/2025, is currently before Justice Modupe-Osho Adebiyi of Court 18, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

It was signed by prosecuting counsel Isa Garba from the Legal/Prosecution Section of the Force Headquarters, and countersigned by Maureen Okonkwo, a registrar at the FCT High Court.

Despite this development, Arome issued a statement on Tuesday asserting he has not been officially served with the court documents.

He described the media coverage surrounding the charges as unexpected and misleading.

According to Arome, the matter stems from a previous investigation conducted by the Nigeria Police Force, during which he cooperated fully.

He said he honored the police invitation and presented relevant documentation at the time of the investigation.

“As of the time of this statement, I have not been served with any charge or court process,” Arome clarified.

“I am therefore surprised by the news report alleging the filing of a criminal charge.”

Arome emphasized that his legal practice adheres strictly to professional and ethical standards.

He also denied any involvement in criminal activity, stating that all his actions were within the bounds of the law.

The Nigeria Police have accused Arome and the others of forging corporate documents to unlawfully take over ownership of several companies, including Houses for Africa Nigeria Ltd and Jonahcapital Nigeria Ltd, and to gain control of River Park Estate.

The group is scheduled for arraignment on July 16, 2025.

However, Arome explained that his involvement in the alleged activities was solely in his capacity as a legal practitioner.

He stated that he acted as an accredited agent of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), assisting in the lawful filing of documents submitted by those with proper authority.

“My role in this process was purely as an accredited agent of the Corporate Affairs Commission and within the remit of my duties as a legal practitioner,” Arome explained.

“I merely facilitated the submission of documents that were validly executed by authorized persons in compliance with CAC regulations.”

Responding to allegations regarding changes to company directorship, Arome insisted that he could not have played a part in the 2013 director resignation filings because he was still in university at the time, graduating only in 2014.

“For context, I was still in the university in 2013 and graduated in 2014. I could not have been involved in that process,” he said.

He further stated that the second resignation occurred on July 1, 2017, at a time when he had no professional relationship with JonahCapital Nigeria Ltd.

Due to client confidentiality, Arome said he could not publish the resignation letters but expressed confidence in their validity.

The River Park Estate ownership dispute has lingered for years, with multiple stakeholders laying claim to legal control of the estate.

The police believe that falsified documentation may have been used to manipulate official records and corporate filings to favor one party over others.

As the case progresses, legal observers expect the trial to shed more light on the complex business dynamics and legal entanglements surrounding River Park Estate.

For now, Arome maintains his innocence and insists that he has no knowledge of any wrongdoing in the matter.

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