Tunde Bakare
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, June 3, 2025 convicted and sentenced one Philimon Ibrahim Gora to five years imprisonment for currency counterfeiting without option of fine.
He was initially arraigned on a seven- count charge but subsequently amended to one-count charge bordering on unlawful possession of counterfeit currency.
The count reads; “That you Philemon Ibrahim Gora on or about the 7th July 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court had in your possession without lawful authority 21 pieces of counterfeit One Hundred US Dollar bills series 2009A with serial numbers LB4550078L ($100) denomination knowing them to be counterfeit and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 5(1) (b) and punishable under Section 5(2) of the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provision) Act Cap C35, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty, prompting the matter to go into full trial. Prosecution counsel, A.O Muhammad called three witnesses that testified against the defendant.
Justice Omotosho thereafter found Gora guilty and sentenced him to five years imprisonment without an option of fine.
Gora`s journey to the Correctional Center started in 2021 when he was arrested with 26 pieces of One Hundred US Dollar Bills ($100) with 21 out of the 26 dollar bills bearing the same serial No; LB45440078L. He was charged to court and jailed.