FeaturedGeneral Newsjudiciary

Court acquits Fani-Kayode of medical report forgery charge

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday discharged and acquitted Femi Fani-Kayode, the former Minister of Aviation, of a medical report forgery charge.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on Nov. 11, 2021, charged Fani-Kayode with 12 counts, including procuring documents by false pretenses, using false documents, fabricating evidence, and using fabricated evidence.

He pleaded not guilty, and after the evidence of the prosecution witnesses, filed a no-case submission.

While delivering judgment on the no-case submission, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe, held  that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendant.

She said that the prosecution failed  to establish a link between the defendant and the offences charged

According to her, the prosecution did not present the defendant’s associates, who allegedly collected money from him, or the lawyer, who allegedly stated that the defendant instructed his law firm to take the medical reports to the Federal High Court.

The judge ruled, “The remaining extrajudicial statements, intended as evidence, can only be used to contradict the person who made the statement when they testify in the witness box.

“I have carefully studied the evidence of the prosecution witnesses, and I cannot find where the defendant committed the offenses being alleged.

“The prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case that would require the defendant to open his defense.

“As to the issue of costs, the defendant is at liberty to file an action report and should do so in private.”

The judge consequently discharged and acquitted the defendant of the alleged offenses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that EFCC had alleged that the medical reports presented by Fani-Kayode as proof of his health status were fake.

NAN reports that the prosecution called seven witnesses who testified against the former minister and closed its case.

However, on Dec. 7, 2024, Fani-Kayode filed a no-case submission and stated that the prosecution had failed to establish the charge against him.

The alleged offenses violate Sections 88(1), 365(3), 366, and 369 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015. (NAN)

Related Articles

Back to top button
error: Content is protected !!
Verified by MonsterInsights