A Lagos Special Offences Court on Tuesday discharged and acquitted former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode of all charges of medical forgery brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe, delivering her ruling on the no-case submission filed by Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Wale Balogun (SAN), declared that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendant. According to the judge, there was no credible evidence linking Fani-Kayode to the alleged offences.
“I have carefully studied the evidence presented by the prosecution and cannot find where the defendant committed the alleged offences,” Justice Abike-Fadipe said. She noted that the prosecution failed to produce key witnesses, including the defendant’s associates or the lawyer allegedly involved in submitting the contested medical reports.
The court ruled that extra-judicial statements presented as evidence could not be used for any purpose other than contradicting a witness during testimony. As a result, the judge found that there was no basis to require Fani-Kayode to enter a defense.
The judge also clarified that the defendant is free to pursue any legal action for damages if he so chooses.
The EFCC had initially charged Fani-Kayode on November 11, 2021, with a 12-count indictment for offences including procuring and using false documents, fabricating evidence, and using fabricated evidence. During the trial, the prosecution called seven witnesses before closing its case.
On December 7, 2024, Fani-Kayode’s legal team filed a no-case submission, arguing that the EFCC had failed to substantiate its claims. The court’s verdict has now brought the case to an end, with Fani-Kayode fully acquitted.
The ruling marks a significant victory for Fani-Kayode, who had maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
