LAGOS – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has finally dragged a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode to court for alleged forgery.
The 12-count charge accused him of forging medical certificate to mislead the court.
He appeared before Justice O.O. Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
But the matter could not go on due to the application challenging the jurisdiction of the court and ruling on the matter was subsequently adjourned to December 17, 2021
Fani-Kayode was accused of procuring document under false pretence, contrary to the provision of Section 369 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Specifically, the EFCC claims that the former Minister procured one Dr. Ogiewu Ozeigbe to procure the fake medical report.
The medical report was purportedly issued at the Kubwa General Hospital in Abuja.
Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo at the proceeding urged the court to take the plea of the defendant over the allegation.
But Mr. Wale Balogun had filed an application to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter in defence of his client.
Oyedepo urged the court to dismiss the application on the grounds that its an attempt to frustrate trial.
He reiterated that the stakeholders in the Administration of Criminal Justice have addressed various antics about frivolous applications meant to delay justice.
Fani-Kayode counsel told the court that the various authorities cited by the prosecution counsel to back up his claims are wrongly interpreted.
Balogun noted that the application is not to challenge the validity of the charge information but the jurisdictions to preside over the matter.
Fani-Kayode counsel urged the court to entertain the application and rule on it before the plea can be taken.
The former minister has been having a running battle with the EFCC for alleged money laundering.
On many occasions he has denied being arrested by the anti-graft agency.
