Nigerian jailed over use of fake document

daniel russell

July 10, 2015 3:12 PM

Ben Chidi Nwaeke, 35, pleaded guilty to possession and use of forged documents.

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A 35-year-old Nigerian has been jailed for seven months for trying to leave Malta with a false French residency permit.

Ben Chidi Nwaeke who pleaded guilty to possession and use of forged documents on Thursday was apprehended at the Malta International Airport. He was checking in to board a flight to Madrid with a false French residency permit issued in his name.

Darren Buhagiar, prosecuting inspector told Magistrate Doreen Clarke that Mr Nwaeke refused to provide them with the name of the person who was supplying these fake documents.

He neither told police whether he had purchased the fake document from someone in Malta or had it sent to him from abroad.

But defence counsel Joe Mifsud said his client has, and used, his constitutional right to remain silent, arguing that this can never be used against him.

After having heard submissions on punishment, with the prosecution requesting an effective jail term and the defence asking for a suspended sentence, Magistrate Clarke jailed Mr Nwaeke for seven months.

daniel russell