Ikeja – A 25-year-old man, Chukwu Okoro, who allegedly presented forged documents to process an Indian visa, was on Tuesday remanded in prison by an Ikeja High Court.

Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo remanded Okoro in Kirikiri Medium Prison after his arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okoro is to remain in custody pending the perfection of the N5 million bail granted to him by the court.

The accused is facing an amended four-count charge bordering on giving of false documents to an agent and attempting to obtain visa using false documents.

The ICPC counsel, Mr Victor Aisida, said Okoro had on Sept. 26, 2013, presented some forged documents to the Indian High Commission in Lagos.

Aisida said the documents included a letter of introduction and a forged Access Bank statement of account in the name of one Stanley Okoro.

He also accused Okoro of forging a West African Examination Council (WAEC) Certificate purportedly issued to him by Enina Mixed Secondary School, Benin, in Edo.

According to him, the documents were presented by the accused to facilitate the procurement of an Indian visa.

Aisida said Okoro’s offences contravened Sections 17 (1) (C) and 96 (1) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Act of 2000.

NAN reports that the offence of presenting false documents is punishable by five years imprisonment if an accused is convicted.

Okoro, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ruling on the bail application filed by the accused counsel, Miss I.C. Amukwa, the judge granted him a N5 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

Lawal-Akapo directed that one of the sureties must be a civil servant not lower than Grade Level 8 cadre, while the other surety must have a property in Lagos State.

He said the sureties must be gainfully employed and produce evidence of payment of tax for three years tax to the Lagos State Government.

The judge adjourned the matter till Oct. 6, 7 and 8 for trial.

– NAN