The TTPS has disclosed that a Nigerian national was detained by Immigration Division officials after appearing in court this week, charged with three counts of Forgery.

According to a statement from the TTPS:

CHIBIKO AUSTIN AKEDU, 46, of Fourth Street, Barataria, was charged with one count of Possession of a Forged Document and two counts of Uttering a Forged Document, when he appeared in the Port of Spain 1st Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday 20th June, 2023.

The matter was adjourned to July 26th, 2023. A detention order was also issued for the accused by the Immigration Division of the Ministry of National Security. It is alleged that in October 2022, a man presented two documents to the Immigration Office, Chaguanas, in support of an application for a Trinidad and Tobago passport. It was later discovered that the two documents were forged.

It is further alleged, that in August 2022, the same individual presented to the Elections and Boundaries Commission Registration Office, Barataria, a document in support of an application for a Trinidad and Tobago Identification Card. This document was also found to be forged.

Reports were made to the police and extensive enquiries were conducted during the period May 2023 to June 2023 by officers of the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau (ACIB) led by ASP (Ag.) Bryon Daniel. The team also included W/Insp. Mc Millan- Mohammed, Sgt. Codrington, Cpl Pitt, WPC Cupid and PC Garcia.

A search warrant was subsequently executed at the home of a male suspect where several documents were found and seized. The suspect was also arrested. Akedu was charged by PC Garcia with the three offences on Monday 19th June 2023. Investigations were supervised by Snr. Supt. Andy Teewarie and Supt. Wayne Abbott, also of ACIB.