Justice Abike-Fadipe of Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, Special Offences section, Friday expressed displeasure over delay in the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode over alleged forgery; frowning at the way the prosecution and the defence are wasting the time of the court.
When the matter came up on Friday, the Judge asked the EFCC counsel, Bilikisu Buhari for an update on the amended charge. But Buhari in response said the Commission had not taken further action on the amended charge. And the judge also asked the defence counsel if they had filed application to get Prove of Evidence; the defense said they were waiting for the prosecution to amend charges.
The Judge while expressing displeasure over waste of time, noted that the defense ought to have applied for Prove of Evidence without waiting for amended charges. Earlier, Fani-Kayode had pleaded not guilty to a 12-count charge of procuring execution of documents by false pretence; use of false documents; fabricating evidence and use of fabricated evidence.
According to the EFCC, the former Aviation Minister through Dr Ogieva Oziegbe allegedly procured fake medical reports on various occasions to avoid attending his trial at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.. “He allegedly procured false medical reports on January 31, 2018, May 30, 2019, November 24, 2020, March 23, October 11. The defendant falsely purported before a Federal High Court, Lagos in charge number FHC/L/251C/2016 that the reports were issued by either Kubwa General Hospital or the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Federal Staff Hospital,” the prosecutor said.
The anti graft Commission said his offences violate Sections 88(1), 365(3), 366 and 369 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015. The court therefore adjourned to February 23, 24 and 28 2022 for commencement of trial.
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