Special Offences Court situated in Ikeja, the Capital of Lagos State, on Wednesday, May 24 threatened to declare Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation wanted over his refusal to appear before the court for his trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Fani-Kayode, on 12 counts bordering on the use of fabricated evidence, procuring the execution of documents by false pretence and use of false documents.
The former minister was alleged to have forged medical report, which he presented before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos, where he is being prosecuted by EFCC for an alleged N4.9bn fraud. Mr Wale Balogun, the defendant’s lawyer,
Justice Olubumni Abike-Fadipe, who was disappointed over Fani-Kayode’s refusal to appear before the court to face his trial after his prosecution on December 17, 2021, and subsequent adjournments, made the threat on May 24, when the matter arose.
During the last adjourned date, Mr Wale Balogun, the defendant’s lawyer, told the court of the absence of the defendant, Fani-Kayode, citing ill health.
The defendant counsel had implored the court to grant him adjournment with an assurance to make him available at Wednesday’s proceeding.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Wednesday Mr Chinozo Eze, the defendant’s lawyer informed the court that Fani-Kayode was not in court due to health challenges.
He told the court that a medical report and a letter seeking the leave of the court to vacate the two dates were already in the court’s file.
Zinat Atiku, EFCC Counsel, confirmed the development and said the prosecution’s hands were tied as to how to forge ahead.
Moreover, the judge frowned on the repeated absence of the defendant, stating that the last time he was in court was November 4, 2022.
Justice Abike-Fadipe, threatened to issue a bench warrant against him if he fails to show up at the next adjourned date.
The judge also frowned on the prosecutor for lack of diligence in the prosecution of the case.
