JUST-IN: Court Discharges, Acquits Fani-Kayode Of Forgery Case

Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, discharged and acquitted a former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, of a 12-count charge bordering on procurement of a “fabricated” medical report and use of the false document.

Justice Abike-Fadipe dismissed the charge after holding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lacked the constitutional power to try the former Minister of the offence.

The court held that the allegations against Fani-Kayode were not an economic crime, and the evidence and witnesses failed to link him to the offences as well.

The anti-graft agency had specifically accused Fani-Kayode of procuring one Dr Ogieva Oziegbe to issue a fake medical report, which he allegedly tendered before the Federal High Court, where he is currently standing trial before Justice Daniel Osiagor over money laundering allegations.

The EFCC had also claimed that the defendant on October 11, 2021, in Kubwa, Abuja, connived with one Dr Ogieva Oziegbe to execute a document titled ‘MEDICAL REPORT ON Olufemi Fani Kayode 60 YEARS/MALE/HOSP. NO.00345’ and purported same to have been issued by Kubwa General Hospital.

The Commission further maintained that procuring and executing documents by false pretence contradict Section 369 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The defendant had, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.