Christian Owhonda, a pastor with Winners Chapel International (Living Faith Church), has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt following his arraignment on allegations of forging a signature in connection with a contested piece of land in Rivers State.
The presiding judge, Justice S.I. Mark, granted bail to Pastor Owhonda after his counsel stood as surety. The case was subsequently adjourned to January 27, 2025, for further hearing.
According to court documents, Owhonda allegedly forged the signature of the late Chief Godson Orlu on a Deed of Grant purportedly transferring ownership of a piece of land belonging to the Worlumejuru family. The property, located at No. 32 Olu Obasanjo Road, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt, reportedly measures 96 feet by 17 feet and houses five shop buildings.
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Sources claim that the signature presented by the defendant did not match the verified signatures of the late Chief Orlu on other official documents.
Family members of the deceased have denied ever transferring the land to Pastor Owhonda. Chike Orlu, the late chief’s son, alleged that the pastor once offered him ₦500,000 to validate the disputed signature.
In a formal statement to the police, the widow of the late chief also reaffirmed that her husband never allocated any land to Owhonda and insisted that the signature on the document was forged.
