After 18 Years, Court Clears Fani-Kayode Of Forgery Charges
A Lagos Special Offences Court has discharged and acquitted former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode of alleged medical forgery charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering the ruling on the no-case submission filed by Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Wale Balogun (SAN), Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe stated that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendant.
The Court ruled that there was not sufficient evidence
Justice Abike-Fadipe ruled that:
The EFCC failed to prove any connection between Fani-Kayode and the alleged offences.
Key evidence—such as testimony from associates or legal representatives—was not presented.
Extrajudicial statements submitted as evidence could not stand in place of direct testimonies.
“I have carefully examined the prosecution’s evidence and cannot find any indication that the defendant committed the alleged offences,” the judge stated.
The ruling means Fani-Kayode is fully cleared of the forgery allegations and may now seek legal action for damages.
The verdict marks the fourth major case Fani-Kayode has successfully defended against the EFCC in 18 years.
2008–2015: Acquitted of money laundering charges by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia in the Federal High Court, Lagos.
2016–2023: EFCC’s case against him before Justice Oziagor was quashed by the Court of Appeal in Lagos on April 21, 2023.
2016–2025: Discharged on January 15, 2025, by Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
2021–2025: Acquitted of medical forgery charges by Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe on February 4, 2025.
With this latest ruling, Fani-Kayode has now emerged victorious in all four legal battles against the EFCC, bringing an end to his nearly two-decade-long legal ordeal.
