A deaconess, Olaide Olukanni, was on Monday re-arraigned before the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Ogba, Ikeja, for allegedly forging her employer’s signature and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.

Olukanni was arraigned alongside one Sikiru Lawal on six counts of impersonation, forgery and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace before Chief Magistrate E. Kubeinje.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Olukanni had earlier been arraigned on three counts of impersonation and forgery.

She was alleged to have impersonated her boss, Abiodun Esan, and forged his signature.

However, following a fresh petition to the police, Lawal, who was said to be Olukanni’s accomplice, was arrested

According to the police counsel, Bisi Ogunleye, the defendants impersonated Esan and forged his signature, seal and survey plan and used same to process fake survey plans for numerous clients in Ikeja in May 2019 and November 2020.

Ogunleye said the offences contravened sections 411, 365 (1), 380 (11) 168 (1) and 314 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The magistrate admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

He adjourned the matter till August 4, 2021.