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Tag: Femi Fani-Kayode

Femi Fani-Kayode

  • Primary: Northern APC govs cannot zone or choose candidate – Fani-Kayode

    Primary: Northern APC govs cannot zone or choose candidate – Fani-Kayode

    A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said the Northern APC governors cannot zone or impose a candidate on party members.

    Fani-Kayode noted that President Muhammadu Buhari, APC chairman Abdullahi Adamu, the National Working Committee (NWC), and delegates will decide who to become the Party’s candidate ahead of the 2023 general election.

    In his tweet, he said that: “It is not for the Northern Governors to singlehandedly zone or determine the Presidential candidate of our party.

    “It is for the President, the National Chairman, the NWC & the delegates to decide.

    “A challenge to the authority of the Chairman & supremacy of the party is unacceptable.”

    TheNewsGuru reports that the Northern APC Governors forwarded the names of five southern aspirants to President Muhammadu Buhari from which consideration should be made for a consensus candidate.

  • FFK’s wife, Precious Chikwendu reunites with children after long battle for custody

    Precious Chikwendu, the wife of the former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode a.k.a FFK, has reunited with her children after months of intense battle.

     

    The duo has been in an intense fight in and out of the court over the custody of the kids who have been in the care of their father ever since.

     

    In a new development, Chikwendu finally got to reunite with her children amidst the battle for divorce.

     

    Taking to Instagram, FFK shared a video of the moments the kids’ mother enjoyed with them which he described as a ‘beautiful sight.’

     

    “My sons spent the day with their mother yesterday! ?❤️
    What a beautiful sight it was! ?❤️
    Love, peace and joy all around! ?❤️?
    Thanks be to God. ?❤️?
    @snowhiteey , Thanks Mama Aragorn. ?,” FFK wrote while sharing the video.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that Chikwendu and FFK have been locked in a messy legal battle over the custody of their four sons since they parted ways in 2020.

     

    Chikwendu had petitioned the United Nations (UN), Amnesty International, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeking justice and custody of her children.

     

    The petition came about 48 hours after she penned a sad, public note to her first son Lotanna on his birthday.

     

    In December 2021, she urged a Customary Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) court to declare that she was never married to the ex-minister.

     

    Contrary to his claims, she said he neither paid her bride price nor performed customary or statutory marriage rites with her. As a result, she seeks access to the four children she bore him.

     

    In the same month, the former Minister disobeyed court orders to allow her access to her children, alleging that she has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

     

    FFK, whom the Nigerian anti-graft arraigned for allegedly forging medical reports to evade trial on December 17, 2021, also alleged that she refused to breastfeed her sons, as such, owns no bragging right to be called a mother.

     

    Various court suits have granted Chikwemdu access to her children, who are all below the age of eight.

     

    In the letter titled, ‘Request for Access to the Petitioner’s Four Male Children,’ Ms Chikwendu chose Central Park in Abuja to meet with the children on December 18, 2021, from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m.

     

    Other days scheduled for the visitation were January 1, 2022, New Year’s Day, at the same venue and time.

     

    The petition
    The petition ‘Justice for Snowhite and Sons’ billed to hit 10,000 signatures had accumulated 8128 signatures as of press time.

     

    Other agencies named in the petition include Human Rights Campaign, Child Rights Advocacy, Project Alert, and Women Advocacy.

     

    According to Chikwendu, the petition was initiated “to reach all international agencies reachable.”

     

    In the petition hosted on Change, org, the ex-beauty queen said her ex-partner has a history of abusing women.

     

    According to her, she experienced severe mental and physical abuse for six years together.

     

    Chikwendu also claimed she was locked up in a mental home where she was injected with substances on the ex-ministers orders to “enable him to create a situation to take over her kids.”

     

    The mother-of-four said since their affair ended on August 2, 2020, she has been denied access to her children.

     

    The petition partly read: “This petition would help African women who have been denied a right to their children because they were married to or cohabited with a person of power.

     

    “This petition would put an end to bullying and oppression from political spouses who have the power and means to oppress and frustrate their partners out of the lives of their growing children who need the love and care of both parents. Precious is seeking justice and custody of her children. This bill will help her bring her problem before the International community.”

  • Alleged N4.9bn fraud: Judge’s absence stalls trial of Fani-Kayode

    Alleged N4.9bn fraud: Judge’s absence stalls trial of Fani-Kayode

    The money laundering trial of a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode before a Federal High Court in Lagos has been stalled, due to the absence of Justice Daniel Osiagor, on Monday,

    Fani-Kayode is charged alongside a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenandi Usman, and Yusuf Danjuma, a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

    Also charged is a company, Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Ltd.

    The case which was listed for cross-examination on Monday, could not proceed because of the absence of the trial Judge, Justice Osiagor, said to be on another official assignment.

    Parties in the case are expected to meet and agree on a new date.

    EFCC had preferred a 17-count charge bordering on N4.6 billion money laundering against the defendants before a former judge, Justice Mohammed Aikawa.

    The defendants had each pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.

    The trial had begun before Justice Aikawa and witnesses were still being led in evidence until Aikawa was transferred out of the Lagos division.

    The defendants were consequently re-arraigned before a new judge, Justice Osaigor, on Jan. 24.

    The trial has since begun in the case while witnesses are still being led in evidence before the court.

    In the charge, the defendants were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015 in Lagos.

    They were alleged to have at various times, unlawfully retained over N4.6 billion which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act of stealing and corruption.

    Meanwhile in counts 15 to17 Fani-Kayode and one Olubode Oke, who is said to be at large, allegedly made cash payments of about N30 million, in excess of the amount allowed by law, without going through a financial institution.

    The said payments were alleged to have been made to one Paste Poster Co (PPC) of No 125 Lewis St., Lagos, in excess of amounts allowed by law..

    The anti-graft agency said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the Money laundering (prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

  • Alleged forgery: Fani-Kayode has no medical records at Kubwa Hospital – Witness

    Alleged forgery: Fani-Kayode has no medical records at Kubwa Hospital – Witness

    The Head of Medical Records at the Kubwa General Hospital, Abuja, Mr Bassey Amah, on Wednesday told an Ikeja Special Offences Court that a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, did not have medical records at the hospital.

    Amah testified at the commencement of Fani-Kayode’s trial for alleged forgery of a medical certificate to evade trial at a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The former minister is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Led in evidence by Lead Prosecution Counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, Amah said he was the chief custodian of medical records at the hospital.

    He said that his duty was to collect vital medical information of patients.

    The witness said that the embattled former aviation minister did not have any medical record with the hospital.

    “Mr Femi is not our patient and he does not have any medical record with us. The doctor that signed the report is not our doctor.

    “In fact, we do not have any Dr Tochukwu Eze at our hospital,” he said.

    The witness said that upon receiving a letter dated Oct. 3, 2021, from the EFCC to investigate the defendant, the hospital responded 10 days later.

    “Kubwa General Hospital received a letter dated Oct. 3, 2021, from EFCC to investigate the defendant, that he did not have a medical record with the hospital.

    “We sent a letter back with evidence on Oct. 13, 2021, to EFCC, that the defendant was never our patient.

    “The evidence tendered emanated from Kubwa General Hospital,” Amah said.

    Defence counsel, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN), however, objected to tendering of the document, saying that the witness was not the maker of the documents.

    “My lord, I cannot see the name of the witness on the documents in reference to Sections 102 and 104 of the Evidence Act.

    “I, therefore, object to the evidence tendered, because the witness is not the maker,” he said.

    Responding, Oyedepo said that the documents to be tendered are public documents.

    “The documents are originals, and the witness is the maker of the documents.

    “I refer your lordship to Section 102 (3) of the Evidence Act which says an officer or official on duty is authorised to submit documents,” he said.

    Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe admitted the documents in evidence, saying that there was no need to bring the authors of the documents to court for the documents to be admissible.

    The judge noted that the witness testified that he was the Head of Medical Records of Kubwa General Hospital and that the letter was issued by the hospital’s medical director.

    “In this case, I have certified that the witness in the box is competent to give evidence in court. I therefore admit the documents in evidence,” Abike-Fadipe said.

    The judge adjourned the case until Feb. 25 for continuation of trial.

    NAN reports that Fani-Kayode is facing 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.

    According to the EFCC, the defendant is also facing trial alongside Nenadi Usman, a former Minister of State for Finance before Justice Daniel Osiagor of a Federal High Court, Lagos on a 17-count charge of money laundering and diversion of N4.9 billion.

    The trial of the duo has been stalled over alleged ill-health of Fani-Kayode.

    The EFCC is alleging that medical reports presented by Fani-Kayode as proofs of his health status are fake.

    The alleged offences violate Sections 88(1), 365(3), 366 and 369 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

  • Court bars Fani-Kayode’s ex-wife from talking about failed marriage

    Court bars Fani-Kayode’s ex-wife from talking about failed marriage

    An FCT Family Court sitting at the Magistrate District, Wuse Zone II, Abuja, has restrained Precious Chikwendu, from making comments that could lead to the identification of children whose custody issues have been submitted before it for determination.

    Chiwendu is the former wife of ex-Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, the applicant in the matter.

    The presiding judge, Njideka Duru, gave the order following a motion ex-parte moved by the applicant’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, to the effect.

    The judge, thereafter, granted the order of interim injunction restraining Chikwendu “from publishing the names, address, school, photographs or making any comment, presenting any speech or paper whether at a public gathering or during a programme described as ‘Green Shift’ (Apostolic Roundtables) slated for Feb. 24.”

    She also granted the order restraining the ex-wife from commenting “on any social media platform of any information likely to lead to the identification of any of the children whose custody issues have been submitted to this court for determination, pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”

    Adedipe, in the motion ex-parte marked: MN/05/2022 filed on Feb. 14 on behalf of Fani-Kayode, prayed the court for four orders, which include “an order granting leave to the applicant, to amend the originating process filed in this case.

    He sought for an order of substituted service on the respondent of the amended originating motion, motion on notice for interlocutory injunction and hearing notice.

    The lawyer also sought for an order setting down for hearing in camera, the conduct of any or all proceedings in this case, in the best interest of the children involved; to preserve their respective rights to dignity and privacy.

    He also asked the court for an order of interim injunction stopping Chikwendu or associates from making presentations at any public gathering or social media platform of the broken relationship.

    The judge, who granted the orders for substituted service and to amend the originating process, also granted reliefs 1, 2, 3 and 4(b) of the application.

    She adjourned the matter until March 24 for hearing.

    Chikwendu, an ex-beauty queen, was on Feb. 14, docked before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja for attempted murder of her former husband, Fani-Kayode.

    Though pleaded not guilty in the charge number: FHCABJ/CR/1/2022 filed by the FCT Commissioner of Police against her and three others, the ex-wife was alleged to have attempted to stab Fani-Kayode with a kitchen knife on Nov. 24, 2018 at Asokoro, within the court jurisdiction.

    Prosecuting counsel, John Ijagbemi, had also told the newsmen that the complainant planned to amend the charge to include an attempt by Chikwendu to kill the four children she had for the ex-minister going by the facts available to the police.

    Justice Ekwo had fixed April 27 for the trial.

    Chikwendu, who was accused of infidelity by the former minister, was also said to have withdrawn various civil cases filed against Fani-Kayode.

    Although the duo had parted ways, the former minister said Chikwendu had always been given access to her children under closed supervision due to her alleged mental challenges which could result to hurting the children.

    The former minister had also alleged that Chikwendu stopped calling the children on telephone for about seven months now contrary to her habit in the past.

    In a related development, the ex-wife’s arraignment in an alleged defamation of character suit filed against her by former Sen. Grace Bent, on Jan. 24, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of FHC was stalled due to Chikwendu’s absence in court.

    Chikwendu, was neither in court nor any lawyer represented her and the judge fixed March 10 for her arraignment.

  • Fani-Kayode’s ex-wife docked for alleged attempted murder

    Fani-Kayode’s ex-wife docked for alleged attempted murder

    Precious Chikwendu, was on Monday docked in a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja for attempted murder of her former husband, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode,

    The police charged before Justice Inyang Ekwo with attempted culpable homicide .

    In a charge number: FHCABJ/CR/1/2022 filed by the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), against Ms Chikwendu and three others, the ex-wife was said to have attempted to stab Fani-Kayode with a kitchen knife on Nov. 24, 2018 at Asokoro, within the court jurisdiction.

    Others arraigned alongside Precious include Emmanuel Anakan, Prisca Chikwendu and Osakwe Azubuike as 1st, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively, while other are said to be at large.

    In a 13-count charge dated and filed on Jan. 7, the defendants were also alleged to have committed offences bordering on cybercrime, intimidation to kill Fani-Kayode by use of Internet, threat to kill one Lauretta in order to cause her to leave her relationship with Fani-Kayode.

    They were alleged to have criminally used internet to send abusive messages with intent to bully, defame and harass her ex-husband.

    They were alleged to have fabricated false evidence by deposing to series of affidavits that Chief Fani-Kayode physically and sexually assaulted members of his domestics staff in inhuman conduct by causing same to be electronically published in a national daily.

    Chikwendu was also alleged to have, through her Facebook page, referred to Fani-Kayode as “Mr Short Fuse,” and that on Dec. 7, 2021.

    She was alleged to have published a false imputation against the ex-minister “by referring to him as a person who is sexually incapacitated and that he is not the biological father of the four children she had for him as a wife.”

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts, which are said to be punishable under Section 392 of the Penal Code, among others.

    The prosecuting counsel, John Ijagbemi, who prayed the court for a date to commence trial. said seven witnesses would testify in the matter.

    He said apart from the documentary evidence that would be tendered, electronic evidence had also been compiled to prosecute the case.

    Alex Ejesieme, SAN, counsel to the ex-wife (2nd defendant), urged the court to admit the defendants to bail based on the earlier administrative bail granted them by the police.

    “Did you give them administrative bail?” the judge asked.

    “Yes, we did my lord, with two sureties,” Ijagbemi responded.

    Justice Ekwo, who fixed April 27, April 28 and April 29 for trial.

    He ordered the defendants to continue on the terms of administrative bail earlier granted.

    He directed the prosecution to submit all particulars of the defendants to the court registrar.

    In an interview shortly after the sitting, Ijagbemi said the complainant would amend the charge to include an attempt by Chikwendu to kill the four children she had for the ex-minister.

    “Because there are facts available to us that the 2nd defendant (Precious Chikwendu) attempted to kill her own children which we will bring to court in the next adjourned date,” he said.

    However, effort to talk to Ejesieme, lawyer to the ex-wife, was unsuccessful as he refused to grant interview.

    Chikwendu, who was accused of infidelity by the former minister, was also said to have withdrawn various civil cases filed against Fani-Kayode.

    Although the duo had parted ways, the former minister said Chikwendu had always been given access to her children under closed supervision due to her alleged mental challenges which could result to hurting the children.

    The former minister had also alleged that Chikwendu stopped calling the children on telephone for about seven months now contrary to her habit in the past.

    NAN reports that the ex-wife’s arraignment in an alleged defamation of character suit filed against her by former Senator, Mrs Grace Bent, on Jan. 24, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of FHC was stalled due to her absence in court.

    Chikwendu, an ex-beauty queen, was neither in court nor any lawyer represented her and the judge fixed March 10 for her arraignment.

  • Fani-Kayode’s estranged wife writes emotional note to mark son’s birthday

    Fani-Kayode’s estranged wife writes emotional note to mark son’s birthday

    Precious Chikwendu, estranged wife of Femi Fani-Kayode on Tuesday wrote an emotional note to mark their first son’s birthday.

    In the note addressed to her son, Precious shared a detailed narration of the tragic things she went through when she was still with Fani-Kayode.

    The mum of four shared a video slideshow of the moments she shared with her son before she parted ways with his father, and recounted how he allegedly physically assaulted her when their son was barely 4 months.

    She wrote:

    “Happy birthday Aragorn Mara’mm❤️ My darling son Lotanna. It is another 1st of February normally on such days I usually start the day with an epistle of how amazing you are and how much of an awesome son you’ve been to me from conception to this very day but it is time it is so different.

    “Lotanna my son, these few months I have spent in so much pain wondering how you have been surviving and how you are coping given the situation surrounding you. I feel so sad and ashamed that you have been used as a pawn .

    “You are that son that gives me peace and calm in the storm, your ability to understand me even in silence still amazes me. I know you are not ignorant of the happenings but can do nothing as you just soak things in and forge on.

    “Never underestimate the bond between your mother and you the bond that was formed right from when you were in my womb and you witnessed all the punches, you took them with me as you kicked so hard and would only calm down when I whispered and pleaded with you , affirming that you would one day wipe my tears.

    “It was only at that point you would calm down and stop kicking as if you understood how those punches and harsh words froze my entire heart and soul.

    “What haven’t we weathered together? You witnessed so many in my womb and when you arrived this world, you were barely four months old when you witnessed your mother being beaten like a puppy. You were in my arms that night at the wheatbaker hotel after he was released from ikoyi prison, it was all laughter at first then prayers of Thanksgiving and next punches.

    “You were dragged from my arms like a little bag of cake and I held on so tightly, the look in your eyes was that of so much fear , I looked into your eyes and I could read you clearly it was more of “Never Let Me Go mum”.

    “So I held on to you, the more I held on to you the more the punches came . You cried out loudly and my heart shredded the more as the splashes of blood gushing from my nose landed on you. You were so terrified and all I wanted to do was get you out of that scene.

    “I was able to get off with you and ran to the short stay apartment where chidera and others were before you slept off on my chest after crying for so long.????

    “As early as 4am jom and kubechi were at the door knocking, with their mom pleading on the phone that I have a rethink and forgive as it would be sad and a scandal if I ended things on this note.

    “Next was at our enugu hideout, somewhere off independence layout where hidden brother (my cousin ikenna) and I kept him safe from arrest during the efcc hunt era , when he insisted I must come along with him to hide.

    “I couldn’t leave you with anybody so you came along with us. One night he started again shouting and beating me up for stories I could not even place and then I ran with you when the punches got so bad, he and his bodyguards/policemen chased us and they were dragging you from me in the middle of the road late into the night.

    “Thank God for the intervention of those vigilante group they would have taken you from me and that would have been it but I held on so tightly and then the men asked him to let go but get into his house and settle his issues rather than drag a kid at night given that he was a public figure.

    “Next morning hidden brother was there to plead with me to forgive and let go. The countless situations you witnessed at Aso Drive also led to you having some trauma.

    You formed the habit of being so attached to me, you followed me everywhere. To the bathroom , kitchen , whenever i made to move you ran after me in fear. You’re so scared of even sleeping as you felt you sleeping would translate to me disappearing when you wake up.

    “Initially I thought it was because of the bond between us but after I was thrown out and I went to Esther’s place because the 7 pastor prophesied that I was Delilah and I was going to shave Samson’s hair I realized it was all a trauma bond.

    “You cried so badly when I was away that your father had you brought to me at Esther’s place by your nannies and the bodyguards. You spent two tonights with me with you clinged to me so much that I felt every pain in your heart”.

  • Alleged Money Laundering: EFCC re-arraigns Fani-Kayode, Usman, others

    Alleged Money Laundering: EFCC re-arraigns Fani-Kayode, Usman, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC on Monday, re-arraigned a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, on an amended 17-count charge of money laundering.

    Fani-Kayode is charged alongside a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenandi Usman, before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Also charged is Yusuf Danjuma, a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Ltd.

    The EFCC had earlier preferred a 17-count charge of N4.6 billion money laundering against the defendants before the former trial judge, Justice Mohammed Aikawa.

    The defendants had each pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail.

    Hearing of the case had begun before Justice Aikawa and witnesses were being led in evidence, before the trial judge was transferred out of the Lagos division.

    The case was consequently assigned to a new judge, Justice Daniel Osaigor, and the defendants had to start the case from the beginning (de nouvo).

    On Monday, the amended 17-count charge was read over to the defendants and they each pleaded not guilty to the charge

    After pleas, the Prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), prayed the court for a trial date.

    The Defence counsel, Chief Ferdinard Orbih (SAN), however, urge the court to allow the defendants to continue on the existing bail conditions granted by the former trial judge.

    In a short ruling, the court allowed the defendants to continue on their existing bail conditions.

    He adjourned the case until March 11, for trial.

    In the charge, the defendants were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015 in Lagos.

    They were alleged to have at various times, unlawfully retained over N4.6 billion, which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful acts of stealing and corruption.

    In counts 15 to17, Fani-Kayode and one Olubode Oke, who is said to be at large, were alleged to have made cash payments of about N30 million to one Paste Poster Co (PPC) of No 125 Lewis St., Lagos.

    The said payments were alleged to have been made in excess of amounts allowed by law without going through a financial institution.

    All offences were said to have contravened the provisions of sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the Money Laundering (prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

  • EFCC arraigns Fani-Kayode for allegedly forging medical reports to evade trial

    EFCC arraigns Fani-Kayode for allegedly forging medical reports to evade trial

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned a former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, for allegedly forging medical reports to evade trial.

    Fani-Kayode appeared before an Ikeja Special Offences Court on a 12-count charge.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fani-Kayode, however, pleaded not guilty to the 12 counts which include procuring execution of documents by false pretences, use of false documents, fabricating evidence and use of fabricated evidence.

    Following the defendant’s not guilty plea, counsel to EFCC, Mr S.I. Suleiman, asked the court for a date for trial.

    He also prayed the court to remand the former minister.

    In an oral application, counsel to Fani-Kayode, Mr Wale Balogun, however, prayed the court to grant him bail in accordance with Section 115(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2021 as amended.

    He said 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 the cases.

    Balogun noted that Fani-Kayode had deposited his international passport to 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.

    “He was also invited on Nov. 30 by the commission where he was served the current charge.

    “He was released to me and I gave an undertaking to produce him in court for arraignment.

    “All the offences in the charge are bailable, with punishment ranging from three to seven years. We apply that your lordship’s absolute discretion be applied to the defendant.”

    The counsel noted that the defendant was a two-time minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “He is 61 years old and by no means a flight risk,” the counsel submitted.

    Granting the bail, Justice O.O Abike-Fadipe said that EFCC did not appear to oppose the bail application and that the defendant did not pose a flight risk.

    “The defendant shall execute a bond in the sum of five million Naira 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; the surety shall also execute a bond in the sum of five million Naira,” she held.

    Earlier in a ruling, Abike-Fadipe dismissed an application filed by defence on Dec. 14, seeking that the former aviation minister should not be arraigned for lack jurisdiction by the court to hear the case.

    She cited the provisions of Sections 296 of the ACJA and 274 of the ACJL as amended.

    “These provisions state that before the court hears a preliminary objection raised by a defendant to the charges brought against him by prosecution, the charges must be read to him,” she said.

    The judge adjourned the case until Feb. 4.

    According to EFCC, the former aviation minister, through one Dr Ogieva Oziegbe, procured fake medical reports on various occasions to avoid attending his trial at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.

    “He procured the false medical reports on Jan. 31, 2018; May 30, 2019; Nov. 24, 2020; March 23 and Oct. 11.

    “The defendant falsely purported before the Federal High Court, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/251C/2016, that the reports were issued by Kubwa General Hospital or the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Federal Staff Hospital,” the commission said.

    NAN reports that the alleged offences violate Sections 88(1), 365(3), 366 and 369 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015.

  • Arraignment of Fani-Kayode for alleged forgery stalled

    Arraignment of Fani-Kayode for alleged forgery stalled

    The arraignment of a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode for allegedly forging medical reports was on Tuesday stalled at an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

    Embattled Fani-Kayode was to be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a 12-count charge of procuring execution of documents by false pretence.

    Other charge include use of false documents, fabricating evidence, use of fabricated evidence.

    Counsel to Fani-Kayode, Mr Wale Balogun challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the criminal suit.

    “We filed before your lordship an application bordering on your lordship’s jurisdiction to entertain an arraignment,” he said.

    Balogun noted that the alleged offences occured in Abuja and a Lagos court does not have jurisdiction to hear the suit.

    Opposing the submission, EFCC Counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo said that the merely filing of an objection to a charge will not prevent a court from taking a plea.

    “It is elementary that what triggers your lordship’s jurisdiction in a criminal proceeding is the taking of the plea so your lordship can now assume or decline jurisdiction.

    “Section 393(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 states that the defendant being tried on an information can raise an objection to a charge or information only after the plea has been taken,” he said.

    Oyedepo urged the court to dismiss the defence’s application on the grounds that it is an attempt to frustrate the trial because the defendant was charged under the Lagos laws and can only tried in Lagos.

    Justice O.O Abike-Fadipe adjourned the case to Dec. 17 for ruling.

    According to the EFCC, the former Aviation Minister through one Dr Ogieva Oziegbe procured fake medical reports on various occasions to avoid attending his trial at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.

    “He procured the false medical reports on Jan. 31, 2018, May 30, 2019, Nov. 24, 2020, March 23, Oct. 11.

    “The defendant falsely purported before a Federal High Court, Lagos in charge number FHC/L/251C/2016 that the reports were issued by either Kubwa General Hospital or the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Federal Staff Hospital,” Oyedepo said.

    The prosecutor said the offences violate Sections 88(1), 365(3), 366 and 369 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015.