Prominent Harare lawyer, Farai Chauke has appeared in court facing 22 charges of fraud and forgery.

Chauke appeared before Chiredzi Magistrate, Geraldine Mutsoto this Wednesday accused of duping 21 villagers by forging their signatures on a Deed of Trust in respect of the Nyangambe Wildlife Conservation Project Trust.

Allegations are that on 16 January last year, Chauke forged the signatures on the Nyangambe Wildlife Conservation Project Deed of Trust with the intention of defrauding the complainants, who were representing the Nyangambe community.

It is further alleged that the following month, Chauke allegedly misrepresented to the Registrar of Deeds in Harare by presenting the forged Deed of Trust with signatures of 21 Nyangambe community representatives without their consent.

Chauke, who is denying the allegations, was remanded out of custody to the fifth of next month.