The arraignment of a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, on allegations of forgery, was stalled on Tuesday over jurisdiction application.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday dragged Fani-Kayode before Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Lagos State Special Offences Court on 12 counts.
According to the EFCC, Fani-Kayode on October 11, 2021, in Kubwa, Abuja, fraudulently connived with one Dr Ogieva Oziegbe to execute a document titled “Medical report on Olufemi Fani-Kayode 60 years/MALE/HOSP. NO.00345” and purported same to have been issued by the Kubwa General Hospital.
The EFCC noted that procuring and execution of documents by false pretence was contrary to Section 369 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
At the Tuesday proceedings, the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to take the plea of the defendant.
However, Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Wale Balogun, informed the court that the defence team had filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.
The EFCC’s counsel, while urging the court to dismiss the defendant’s application, noted that the application was an attempt to frustrate the trial, adding that the defendant was charged on Lagos law and the matter could only be heard within Lagos jurisdiction.
Responding to the EFCC’s claim, Fani-Kayode’s lawyer noted that the various authorities cited by the prosecution to back up its claims were wrongly interpreted, adding that the application was not to challenge the validity of the charge information but the jurisdiction to preside over the matter.
He further urged the court to entertain the application and rule on it before the plea of the defendant could be taken.
After listening to the argument of both counsels, Justice Abike-Fadipe adjourned till December 17 to rule on the application.
Copyright PUNCH.
