A Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has acquitted and discharged former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, of medical forgery charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe upheld the no-case submission filed by Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Norrison Quakers, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the former minister.
The judge stated that the EFCC did not present any direct evidence linking Fani-Kayode to the forgery, nor did they bring forth key witnesses who could have corroborated the allegations.
Her ruling reads:
“I have carefully studied the evidence of the prosecution witnesses and I cannot 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 defence.”
Following the judgment, Fani-Kayode expressed relief and gratitude, stating that after 18 years of courtroom battles, he is overjoyed to be finally free.
The former minister was previously accused of fraudulently procuring forged medical reports to delay his ongoing N4.9 billion fraud trial before the Federal High Court in Lagos. However, with this acquittal, he is now cleared of the forgery allegations.