Femi Fani-Kayode, the former Minister of Aviation, has been charged with forgery before Justice O. Abike- Fadipe of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Fani-Kayode with a 12-count accusation of forgery and fraudulent use of forged papers in court.
According to the prosecution, Femi Fani-Kayode fraudulently procured one Dr. Ogieva Oziegbe to sign a paper headed “MEDICAL REPORT ON Olufemi Fani Kayode 60 YEARS/MALE/ HOSP. NO.00345” reportedly issued by Kubwa General Hospital on October 11, 2021 in Lagos.
The EFCC stated that procuring and executing documents under false pretenses is against section 369 of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2015.
EFCC Counsel Rotimi Oyedepo urged the court to accept the defendant’s plea to the accusation at the resumption of the proceedings.
Mr. Wale Balogun, Fani-Kayode Counsel, however, objected to the prayer, stating that the defense team has filed an application challenging the court’s authority to hear the case.
In his response, Mr. Oyedepo urged the court to dismiss the application, claiming that it is an attempt to delay the trial because the defendant was charged under Lagos law, which can only be tried in Lagos.
He notes that the Administration of Criminal Justice has dealt with a variety of antics including spurious applications intended to slow down the wheel of justice in order to avoid frustrating trials.
Mr. Balogun responded by telling the court that the different authorities mentioned by the prosecution to support his assertions were misinterpreted.
