IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has acquitted and discharged a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, of the charge of medical forgery levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Olubumni Abike-Fadipe who freed the former minister while delivering ruling on the no case submission filed by his counsel held that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him.

The court upheld the no case-submission filed by his counsel, Norrison Quakers (SAN) and ruled that Fani-Kayode had no case to answer as the EFCC did not link him to the offence. Before the court, Fani-Kayode was facing 12 a count charge brought against him by the EFCC following his alleged use of forged medical report(s), which he tendered before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he was being prosecuted by the EFCC for an alleged N4.9billion fraud.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Femi Fani-Kayode, on or about the 11th day of October, 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by fraudulently used a false document titled: Medical Report on Olufemi Fani-Kayode 60 Years/Male/Hosp. No. 00345 DATED 11/10/2021 before the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division in charge No. FHC/L/251C/2016 which document you purported to have been issued by Kubwa General Hospital.” Another count reads: “That you, Femi Fani-Kayode, on or about the 23rd day of March, 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently used a false document titled: To Whom It May Concern Re: Femi Fani-Kayode Male/60 Years Hospital. No. 32145 Dated 23rd March 2021 before the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division in charge No. FHC/L/251C/2016 which document you purported to have been issued by Kubwa General Hospital.”

The EFCC noted that procuring and execution of documents by false pretence is contrary to section 369 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. During the trial, the management of Kubwa General Hospital, Abuja had denied admitting Femi Fani-Kayode as one of its patients. Through its head of medical records, Bassey Amah, the hospital management told Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe that a medical report presented in court by the former minister was not issued by the hospital. Amah who testified before the court as first prosecution witness in the case said that Fani-Kayode is not a patient and has no medical report in the hospital.

A second prosecution witness, Abidat Bukola told the court how the former Minister of Aviation, allegedly gave her N820,000 to procure 4 forged medical reports. 

The Federal Government of Nigeria is deepening its economic partnership with Germany to attract foreign investment and create employment opportunities.

Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, made this known on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from Germany’s IHK Giessen-Friedberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The collaboration will focus on vocational training, skilled migration, and business development, aligning with Nigeria’s National Talent Export Programme.

German officials emphasized mutual benefits, including increased investment and structured migration pathways for Nigerian workers. The World Meets in Giessen conference was highlighted as a platform for expanding business ties.

The partnership is expected to enhance workforce development, boost labour mobility, and attract more global businesses to Nigeria. 

Chelsea have finalized transfer deals for Harvey Vale, Somto Boniface, Zak Sturge, and Travis Akomeah, the club announced on its official website early Tuesday morning.

Vale has made a permanent switch to Championship side Queens Park Rangers. The midfielder, who signed his first professional contract in September 2020, featured twice for Chelsea this season under manager Enzo Maresca.

Boniface has joined Ipswich Town after progressing through Chelsea’s academy ranks, featuring for the Under-18s and Under-21s.

Akomeah has secured a move to Championship club Watford. The defender originally joined Chelsea as an Under-16 from the Hornets.

Meanwhile, Sturge will spend the rest of the season on loan at Millwall. The defender, who signed for Chelsea in August 2022, previously had a loan stint at Peterborough United last season.

President Bola Tinubu is presiding over another Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, barely a day after the last session.

The Tuesday meeting, part of a two-day marathon, began at 1:26 p.m. following Tinubu’s arrival at the Council Chamber.

On Monday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that the extended meetings were necessary due to a backlog of memos accumulated since December.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and other key officials were in attendance.

Among the matters discussed, the council reviewed memos from various ministries, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

At Monday’s session, the FEC approved ₦4.8 billion for the Presidential Treatment Programme, aimed at providing 150,000 HIV treatment packs from February to May 2025. 

A Nigerian woman living in the United Kingdom, identified as @shakels95, has recounted her shocking experience of being arrested due to a language mix-up.

According to her, she had gone to a pharmacy to buy medication for her husband when an innocent remark during a phone conversation led to her unexpected arrest.

While speaking to her husband on the phone, she casually used the word “drugs” instead of “medications,” unaware that bystanders at the pharmacy misinterpreted her words.

Moments later, police officers arrived and took her into custody.

Sharing her ordeal in a TikTok video, she said, “I was arrested last night and detained. Now, I am heading home. Here’s what happened: I went to the pharmacy to get some drugs for my husband.

"After purchasing them, I called him and said, ‘I got the drugs, I got two drugs for you. When you take them, you’ll feel better.’

"I had no idea people around me were alarmed by the word ‘drugs.’ Before I knew it, the police showed up, saying they received a report about drugs.”

She explained that the officers did not immediately believe her when she tried to clarify that she was referring to over-the-counter medicine like Ibuprofen.

Despite her explanations, she was taken to the police station for questioning, and her home was even searched as part of the investigation.

"They detained me, questioned me, and searched my house," she added. 

Sikiru Adepoju, a celebrated Nigerian percussionist, holds a unique place in the country’s music history as a two-time Grammy Award winner.

Born into a musical family in Eruwa, Oyo State, Adepoju was introduced to drumming at an early age by his father, Chief Ayanleke Adepoju, alongside his brothers, Saminu and Lasisi. As a descendant of the Yoruba Ayan lineage—known for producing master drummers—he honed his skills from childhood.

As a teenager, he toured and recorded with Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey’s Inter-Reformers Band before gaining international recognition.

Adepoju’s big break came when he joined Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum, a group that fuses percussion styles from various cultures. Their 1991 album, Planet Drum, won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album, making him the first and only Nigerian Grammy winner at the time.

His success continued in 2009 when he was part of Mickey Hart’s Global Drum Project, which won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album at the 51st Grammy Awards.

Adepoju’s journey to global fame began in 1985 when he moved to the United States to perform with O.J. Ekemode’s Nigerian All-Stars. He later joined Babatunde Olatunji’s Drums of Passion group, where he was introduced to Mickey Hart, drummer for the legendary rock band, Grateful Dead—a partnership that would define much of his international career.