The Nigerian Police have come under criticism for pressing charges against Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, despite a clear disclaimer from Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Awa Kalu, distancing himself from any claims of forgery or impersonation.
In the court filings, Giwa was accused of forging the official letterhead of Prof. Kalu, SAN, even though the respected lawyer had written to the police to state otherwise.
Chronicles Reporters earlier revealed that Giwa, a human rights lawyer, was detained by officers allegedly on the directive of the FCT High Court, after he reportedly failed to appear in charge CR/150/25 between him and the Inspector General of Police.
Sources confirmed on Friday that Giwa was taken into custody shortly after a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of Police at Zone 2, where another case was being investigated.
One of the sources alleged that the OC Legal informed Giwa that his detention was executed based on a court order.
However, Prof. Kalu, in a formal letter to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, stressed that his letterhead was never forged and that he had never lodged a complaint with the police on such matter.
In the letter dated May 30, 2025, Kalu clarified that he neither reported nor accused Mr. Giwa of forging the documents of his law firm.
The communication directly responded to Charge No. CR/150/25 filed by the police, which claimed that Giwa had forged the official letterhead of “Awa U. Kalu (SAN) & Partners” — formerly “Awa U. Kalu (SAN) & Associates” — to correspond with the Attorney General of the Federation.
“I wish to inform you that the internet is agog with reports of a charge against the above-named gentleman, alleging that he forged my headed paper,” Prof. Kalu wrote.
“Please be advised that I have never made a complaint or reported to any Police Station in Nigeria that Mr. Victor Giwa forged my official letterhead,” he added.
The clarification by the Senior Advocate effectively undermines the basis of the forgery allegation, which appeared to rely solely on the alleged misuse of his firm’s identity and letterhead.
This position indicated there was no valid complaint from the person whose documents were supposedly falsified.
Meanwhile, Giwa, in a separate letter dated May 23, 2025, had also written to the Inspector General of Police, requesting an investigation into allegations of inducement that allegedly led to his prosecution.
He specifically urged Mr. Egbetokun to look into the conduct of the Commissioner of Police, Legal Services, Chiozoba Oyakhire Ehiede, and Ms. Asabe Waziri, accusing them of filing what he described as a baseless charge against him and another party.
Giwa also demanded an inquiry into the alleged link between the CP, Legal Services, and Waziri, who works with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 2 Lagos, SP Umma Ayuba, stated that Giwa was indeed in custody.
“He is currently at the Zone for an interview with the investigating team,” she said when contacted.
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