An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday revoked the bail of agrorite promoter, Toyosi Ayodele, for presenting a forged medical report in an attempt to obstruct trial proceedings.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ayodele is facing charges of N600 million and $50,000 agribusiness investment fraud.
The defendant, alongside his companies, Reaprite Global Ltd., and Agrorite Ltd., is facing an 11-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe strongly condemned the conduct of the defendant and his counsel, Mr Chukwuemeka Maduagwu, for submitting a forged medical report to the court in a clear attempt to frustrate the trial proceedings.
Abike-Fadipe subsequently revoked the defendant’s bail and ordered his immediate remand in a correctional facility, pending the continuation of his trial.
The judge adjourned the case until Oct. 21 for the continuation of trial.
Earlier, at the resumption of the trial on Tuesday, EFCC counsel, Ms Deborah Ademu-Etteh, informed the court that an investigation into the purported medical excuse submitted on the defendant’s behalf had uncovered glaring inconsistencies and falsehoods.
Ademu-Etteh stated that the EFCC’s investigation revealed there was no referral from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, to Reddington Hospital in Lagos, as claimed in the medical report.
According to her, there was also no record of any surgical appointment scheduled for the defendant at the said hospital.
NAN reports that the defendant’s lawyer, had on May 21 presented the forged medical report and informed the court that his client suffered a medical emergency after the last court session and was admitted to UCH.
Maduagwu requested an adjournment to enable the defendant’s presence at the trial.
Meanwhile, the court had previously issued a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest due to his repeated failure to appear for trial. (NAN)
