The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Friday, arraigned a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, for allegedly forging medical reports to evade trial.

Fani-Kayode, who appeared before an Ikeja Special Offences Court, was arraigned on 12 counts.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Fani-Kayode pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include procuring documents by false pretences, using false documents, fabricating evidence and using fabricated evidence.

According to the EFCC, Fani-Kayode, through one Dr Ogieva Oziegbe, procured fake medical reports on various occasions to avoid attending his trial at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.

Following the defendant’s not guilty plea, the counsel for the EFCC, Mr S. I. Suleiman, asked the court for a date for trial.

He also prayed the court to remand the former minister.

READ ALSO Fulfil promise, give us Ebubeagbu now, Ohanaeze tells South-East govs

In an oral application, the counsel for the defendant, Mr Wale Balogun, prayed the court to grant him bail in accordance with Section 115(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2021 as amended.

He said the defendant had, since 2016, been standing trial before two justices of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court and had met all the requirements for bail in the cases.

Balogun noted that Fani-Kayode had deposited his passport with the Federal High Court as part of the terms of his bail.

He said, “Upon the commencement of investigation into this matter, the defendant was invited on November 23 by the EFCC and interviewed for several hours and granted bail on self-recognition.