Oba-Elect of Araromi-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Babalola Adebomi was, on Monday, arraigned at the Federal High Court in Akure, the Ondo State capital for certificate forgery.According to Vanguard, the 48-year-old monarch from the Ijero Local Government Area of the state was arraigned on two-count charges.They bordered on forging a certificate from the University of Ibadan and presenting the same to the University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti for a job in 2008.He was also said to have forged his discharge certificate from the National Youth Service Corps and presented same to the University Teaching Hospital for the job.
“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 the 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.”However, Babalola pleaded not guilty to the charges while his attorney, Attah Paul said he had filed an application on notice and prayed the court to give the application hearing.
The prosecution 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 added that he would be presenting two witnesses before the court to prove the charges.
The defendant’s attorney, therefore prayed the court to release the Oba-Elect on bail, promising that he would not jump bail.
When asked if the defendant has any surety, Attah said Babalola has a younger brother who is a businessman based in Akure, Ondo State capital.
He added that the defendant’s in-law has a property in Akure and prayed the court to present the defendant to the nearest police station pending the adjournment date.
In his ruling, Justice Owoeye ordered that the defendant, Babalola Babatunde be detained in the Assistant Inspector General of Police’s office, and adjourned the hearing till Thursday, May 23, 2024.
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