Judge scolds EFCC over prosecution of FFK

IKEJA, Lagos – Justice Olubunmi Olutoyin Abike-Fadipe  of a Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja has expressed displeasure over  delay in on-going trial of Former Minister of  aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode over alleged forging of medical reports to evade trial.

At the resumed hearing, the judge frowned at the way both the prosecution and the defence counsel wasted time of the court and in the process stalling the trial.

The court had adjourned at the last proceeding for further direction before commencement of trial. When the matter came up today, Justice Abike-Fadipe asked the EFCC counsel, Bilikisu Buhari about the update on the amended charge.

In her response, she said that the commission has not taken further action on the amended charge. Subsequently, the judge also asked defence counsel if they have filed application to get proof of evidence.

Fani-kayode counsel in his response said that they are waiting for the prosecutor to amend charges. The development made the judge to express her frustration for wasting judicial time of the court, noting that the defense counsel, Wale Balogun ought to apply for proof of evidence without waiting for amended information.

However, Fani-Kayode had plead 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 one Dr Ogieva Oziegbe procured fake medical reports on various occasion 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.