Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, was absent from the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, where he faces a forgery charge on Monday.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain of tendering a forged medical report before a Federal High Court in Lagos, where he is being prosecuted for fraud in the sum of an N4.9bn.
Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Wale Balogun, informed the court that his client was absent due to health reasons and his ongoing issues with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police. Balogun claimed that Fani-Kayode was admitted to the hospital on Thursday, February 16 and was readmitted on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
Balogun requested the court to vacate the hearing dates of February 21 and 22 and suggested that they be rescheduled to enable his client attend to his health. The lawyer also shared documents with the prosecution to that effect.
In response, the EFCC prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, acknowledged receiving the accused’s medical report from the defence. The lawyer opted to not object to the application for an adjournment, and, instead, leave the decision to the court’s discretion.
Fani-Kayode, who was arraigned on December 17, 2021, had pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. The presiding judge, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe, adjourned the case until May 24 and 25 to continue the trial.
Fani-Kayode’s absence from court due to health reasons is not the first time he has been unable to attend a hearing. In December 2021, he failed to appear in court for his arraignment and was later given bail on the condition that he would not travel out of the country. The former minister was also absent from a court hearing in January 2022, citing health issues as the reason for his absence.
