…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media.
A Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has expressed its intention to declare former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, wanted due to his persistent absence from his ongoing trial.
Justice Olubumni Abike-Fadipe of the special court expressed displeasure at Fani-Kayode’s consistent failure to appear since his arraignment on December 17, 2021.
The judge noted that the last time Fani-Kayode appeared before the court was on November 4, 2022.
If he fails to appear at the next adjournment, the court will declare him wanted.
Fani-Kayode is facing 12 counts brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including the use of false documents, the use of fabricated evidence, and procuring the execution of documents by false pretense.
It is alleged that Fani-Kayode forged medical reports and submitted them to Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos, where he is being prosecuted by the EFCC for an alleged N4.9 billion fraud.
On Wednesday, Justice Abike-Fadipe expressed her dissatisfaction with the former minister’s repeated absence, highlighting the excuses that had been presented on his behalf.
Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Mr. Wale Balogun, previously informed the court of his client’s absence, citing ill health related to his encounter with the Department of State Services (DSS), which had interrogated him over certain comments made before the general elections.
Balogun pleaded for an adjournment and promised that Fani-Kayode would be present at the next proceeding.
However, during the recent hearing, Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Mr. Chinozo Eze, informed the court that his client was unable to attend due to health issues.
Eze stated that a medical report and a letter seeking the court’s permission to vacate the two dates were already in the court’s file.
The EFCC counsel, Zinat Atiku, confirmed the situation and explained that the prosecution’s options were limited.
This latest development angered the judge, who threatened to issue a bench warrant against Fani-Kayode if he fails to appear at the next adjourned date.
The judge also criticized the lack of diligence by the prosecutor in handling the case, warning that the anti-graft agency may withdraw the matter if it is not ready to proceed with prosecution.