Lack Of Peace Of Mind Has Affected Fani-Kayode’s Health – Lawyer Tells Court
In a bid to explain the absence of Femi-Fani Kayode, a former aviation minster and a chieftain of the APC, in court on Monday, his lawyer, Wale Balogun blamed the Nigerian Police and DSS for making his client lose his ‘peace of mind’ which has now affected his health.
Fani-Kayode was supposed to appear before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja for the continuation of forgery trial.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) levelled 12 count charges against the ex minister which borders on fabricating and tendering a falsified medical report before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos, where he is being prosecuted for alleged N4.9bn fraud.
Explaining the absence of his client at the resumed hearing, 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” for questioning with regards to some comments he made online.
“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, 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.”
The defendant who was arraigned in December 17, 2021, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.
After listening to the lawyers, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe, adjourned the case till May 24 and 25 for continuation of trial.
Recall that Fani-Kayode was recently grilled by the DSS over his comment on an alleged coup. READ HERE
