Court Discharges and Acquits Femi Fani-Kayode of Forgery Charges

The Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, on Tuesday, discharged and acquitted former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, of a 12-count charge involving the procurement of a fabricated medical report and the use of a false document.

Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lacked the constitutional authority to try Fani-Kayode for the alleged offences, as the matter did not constitute an economic crime. The court also noted that the evidence and testimonies presented by the EFCC failed to establish a connection between Fani-Kayode and the alleged forgery.

The EFCC had accused Fani-Kayode of collaborating with Dr. Ogieva Oziegbe to create a fake medical report, which was allegedly presented to the Federal High Court during his ongoing trial on money laundering charges. The EFCC further argued that the false document violated Section 369 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

Fani-Kayode had pleaded not guilty to the charge.