Court discharges, acquits Fani-Kayode of medical forgery

Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of an  Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday discharged and acquitted the former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, of the charge of medical forgery leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Abike-Fadipe while delivering ruling on the no case submission filed by Fani-Kayode’s Counsel, Mr Wale Balogun (SAN), held  that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case agains the defendant.

Abike-Fadipe said the prosecution failed  to establish a link between the defendant and the offences for which he was charged.

She said the prosecution failed establish a prima facie case against  the defendant.

Abike-Fadipe noted that the prosecution also failed to present the defendant’s associates who allegedly collected money from him or the lawyer who allegedly stated that the defendant had instructed his law firm to take the medical reports to the Federal High Court.

The court held that the extra-judicial statements  which are intended as evidence, cannot be used for any purpose other than to contradict the person who made the statement when he is in the witness box.

“I have carefully studied the evidences of the prosecution witnesses and I can not find  where the defendant committed the offences  being  alleged.

“The prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case which  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 do so in private.”

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

EFCC had on November 11, 2021 charged Fani-Kayode on a 12-count charge of procuring and execution of documents by false pretences, use of false documents, fabrication of evidence and use of fabricated evidence.

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