A Special Offences Court in Ikeja has fixed Feb. 23, 24 and 28 2022 for commencement of trial of a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode for allegedly forging medical reports to evade trial.
The presiding judge, Justice Abike-fadipe gave the date shortly after dismissing Fani-kayode application which challenge the court jurisdiction to preside over the trial and ordered him to take his plea.
Subsequently, his plea was taken on twelve count charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Fani-Kayode, however 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.
Following the defendant’s plea, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Suleiman Suleiman asked for a trial date and also requested that Fani-Kayode be remanded in custody pending determination of his bail application.
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In a counter reaction, counsel to Fani-Kayode, Mr Wale Balogun asked that the court to grant the defendant bail in accordance to Section 115(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2021 (as amended).
He noted that the defendant has since 2016 been standing trial before two justices of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court and had met all the requirements for bail in those cases.
Mr. Balogun noted that Fani-Kayode had deposited his international passport before the Federal High Court as part of the terms of his bail.
He said: “Upon the commencement of investigation into this matter, the defendant was invited on Nov. 23 by the EFCC and interviewed for several hours and granted bail on self recognition.
“All the offences in the charge are bailable with punishment ranging from three to seven years.
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“He is a two-time Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is 61-years-old and by no means a flight risk”, he said.
In a short ruling, Justice O.O Abike Fadipe noted that the EFCC did not appear to oppose the bail application and that the defendant does not pose a flight risk.
“The defendant shall execute a bond in the sum of N5million and file an undertaking that he shall attend all proceedings in this case.
“The defendant shall present a surety in like sum who shall be resident within the jurisdiction of this court and the surety shall also execute a bond in the sum of N5million,” she said.
The case was adjourned to February 4 for report on directions.
