The Oba-Elect of Araromi-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Babalola Adebomi, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital for allegedly committing forgery.
The accused person who was until his arraignment in the court was said to be working in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital was alleged to have forged the certificate of University of Ibadan and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and presented same to University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti for job in 2008.
When the charges sheet was read to the 48-year-old defendant, Babalola Babatunde, he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The charged sheet NO:FHC/AK/16/2024 reads “That you Babalola Babatunde on or about the 15th day of January, 2008 at the University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did make and uttered a forged University of Ibadan Result which you knew to be false and with intent that it may be used or acted upon as genuine by the University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti to offer you a job and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
“That you Babalola Babatunde on or about the 15 day of January, 2008 at the University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did make and uttered a forged National Youth Service Corps Certificate which you knew to be false and with intent that it may be used or acted upon as genuine by the University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti to offer you a job and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1[2](c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.”
Counsel to the defendant, Attah Paul told the court that he had filed and application on notice and prayed the court to give the application hearing.
But the prosection attorney, Itunun Osobu told the court that he was yet to read the issues raised by the Defendant’s attorney in his reply to the counter-affidavit he filed.
Osobu told the court that he would be presenting two witnesses before the court to prove the charges.
He therefore prayed the court to release the Oba-Elect on bail, promising that he would not jump bail.
However, Attah prayed the court to present the defendant to nearest police station pending the adjournment date.
In his ruling, Justice Owoeye ordered that the defendant, Babalola Babatunde be detained in Assistant Inspector General of Police’s office, he thera after adjourned the case till Thursday, May 23, 2024 for hearing.