An Ikeja Special Offences Court has discharged and acquitted former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, of medical forgery charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering her ruling on the no-case submission presented by Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Mr. Wale Balogun, SAN, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe stated that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendant.
The judge noted that the prosecution was unable to link Fani-Kayode to the alleged offences, having failed to provide crucial evidence, including testimonies from his associates or the lawyer who allegedly handled the medical reports in question. She further stated that extrajudicial statements presented as evidence could only serve to contradict their makers when they testified in court.
“I have carefully examined the prosecution’s evidence and cannot find any indication that the defendant committed the alleged offences. The prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case, which would have required the defendant to present a defense,” she said.
Fani-Kayode was first arraigned by the EFCC in November 2021 on a 12-count charge, including allegations of procuring false documents, using forged documents, and fabricating evidence. The prosecution called seven witnesses, but their testimonies failed to substantiate the allegations. The former minister subsequently filed a no-case submission on December 7, 2024, arguing that the prosecution had not proven its case.
In a separate case, the Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier discharged Fani-Kayode of money laundering charges on January 15, 2025. Justice John Tsoho ruled that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence linking him to the alleged crimes.
Fani-Kayode’s legal battles with the EFCC date back 18 years, spanning multiple courts and appeals. Over the years, he has faced four major criminal cases and four appeals, all of which have ended in his favor.
- In 2015, he was acquitted by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia at the Federal High Court in Lagos after facing trial since 2008.
- In 2023, charges against him at the Federal High Court in Lagos were quashed by the Court of Appeal.
- In January 2025, he was discharged of all counts by Chief Judge John Tsoho at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
- His final acquittal on February 4, 2025, by Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe at the Lagos State High Court marked the end of his long legal battle with the EFCC.
With this latest ruling, Fani-Kayode has now secured victories in all cases brought against him over nearly two decades.