Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, was on Tuesday dragged before the Special Offences Court in Ikeja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over his alleged procurement of a “fabricated” medical report.
Fani-Kayode, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress paraded before Justice O.O Abike-Fadipe by EFCC operatives at about 9am for possible arraignment.
According to the anti-corruption agency, the ex-minister procured one Dr Ogieva Oziegbe to issue the fake medical report, which he allegedly tendered in before the Federal High Court in his ongoing money laundering trial.
The ex-minister was brought to court by the EFCC on 12 counts.
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The charge sheet partly read, “That you Femi Fani-Kayode on or about the 11th day of October, 2021 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to mislead the Federal High Court Lagos Judicial Division in charge No. FHC/L/251C/2016 fabricated a documentary evidence titled: MEDICAL REPORT ON OLUFEMI FANI KAYODE 60 YEARS/MALE/HOSP. NO.00345 DATED 11/10/2021 and purported same to have been issued by Kubwa General Hospital.”
It noted that the offence is contrary to and punishable under section 88(1) (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo therefore urged the court to take the plea of the defendant.
But Fani-Kayode Counsel, Wale Balogun, argued against the prayer, noting that the defence team has filed an application to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.
In his response, Oyedepo urged the court to dismiss the application on the grounds that its an attempt to frustrate trial because the defendant was charge on Lagos law and it can only be heard in Lagos jurisdiction.
He explained that the Administration of Criminal Justice has addressed various antics about frivolous applications meant to delay the wheel of justice not to succeed to frustrate trial.
Countering that, Balogun told the court that the various authorities cited by the prosecution to back up his claims are wrongly interpreted.
He said that the application is not to challenge the validity of the charge information but the jurisdictions to preside over the matter.
After entertaining the submission of the lawyers, Justice Abike-Fadipe reserved ruling till Friday, December 17 to decide the application.
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