Femi Fani-Kayode hospitalised after DSS grilling – Lawyer claims

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode’s trial for alleged forgery was stalled on Monday, February 20, as he was absent when the case was brought up before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja.

Femi Fani-Kayode is standing trial for allegedly presenting false documents, fabricating evidence and procuring execution of documents before an Ikeja Special Offences Court. He is accused of tendering forged medical report before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos, where he is being prosecuted for alleged N4.9bn fraud.

During the resumed trial on Monday, the former Minister’s lawyer, Wale Balogun told the court that his client has been hospitalized after a “running battle” with the DSS and police.

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Balogun said;

“WE REGRET TO ANNOUNCE TO YOUR LORDSHIP THAT THE DEFENDANT IS NOT IN COURT DUE TO HEALTH REASONS, AND SECONDLY DUE TO A RUNNING BATTLE HE HAS WITH BOTH THE DSS AND THE POLICE.

“SINCE THE LAST TIME WE WERE HERE, THE DEFENDANT HAS BEEN REPORTING EVERY DAY AT THE DSS, AND WHILE HE WAS DOING THIS, THE NIGERIA POLICE INVITED HIM.

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“SINCE WE LEFT HERE AT THE LAST DATE, HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE PEACE OF MIND, AND THAT HAS AFFECTED HIS HEALTH.

“ON THE 16TH, HE WAS AT THE HOSPITAL AND ON SATURDAY HE WAS ALSO READMITTED AT THE NATIONAL HOSPITAL.

“EVEN NOW AS WE SPEAK, HE IS ALSO THERE, AND BASED ON THIS IT HAS BECOME IMPERATIVE TO SEEK YOUR LORDSHIP’S INDULGENCE NOT ONLY TO VACATE TODAY, BUT THE OTHER DAYS, 21 AND 22.

“WE HUMBLY APPLY THAT THOSE DAYS BE VACATED TO ENABLE HIM RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES.”

The lawyer said he had shared some documents with the prosecution in that regard. Responding to this, the EFCC prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, said;

“THE DEFENCE COUNSEL THIS MORNING, SHARED WITH US TWO DOCUMENTS; ONE IS A MEDICAL REPORT AND ANOTHER FROM THE NIGERIA POLICE.

“IN THE CIRCUMSTANCE, WE LEAVE THE DECISION TO THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT.”

After listening to the lawyers, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe, adjourned the case till May 24 and 25 for continuation of trial.