Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of an Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday discharged and acquitted the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, of the charge of medical forgery leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering her ruling on the no case submission by Fani-Kayode, Justice Abike-Fadipe held that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case agains the ex-minister.
The judge also said the prosecution failed to establish a link between Fani-Kayode and the offence for which he was charged.
She further held that the prosecution failed establish a prima facie case against the ex-minister.
She noted that the prosecution also failed to present Fani-Kayode’s associates who allegedly collected money from him or the lawyer who allegedly stated that the ex-minister 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.
The judge said, “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.”
Justice Abike-Fadipe consequently discharged and acquitted Fani -Kayode of the alleged offence
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.
During trial, the prosecution had called seven witnesses to testify against the former minister and closed its case.
Fani-Kayode had on December 7, 2024 filed a no case submission and submitted that the prosecution had failed in establishing the charge against him.
