The Federal High Court in Akure on Monday, ordered the detention of Prince Babalola Adebomi, the Oba-Elect of Araromi-Ekiti in the Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State, over charges of certificate forgery.
Prince Adebomi who was arraigned before the Federal High Court, was accused of forging a University of Ibadan certificate, which he allegedly used to secure a job at the University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, in 2008. Additionally, he was charged with forging a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate for the same purpose.
The charge sheet, numbered FHC/AK/16/2024, states:
“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 Batalola 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 12 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.”
Babalola pleaded not guilty to the charges. His attorney, Attah Paul, informed the court of a filed application on notice and requested a hearing for the application.
Prosecution attorney Itunun Osobu indicated that he had not yet reviewed the issues raised by the defence in their counter-affidavit. Osobu also mentioned his intention to call two witnesses to substantiate the charges.
The defence attorney appealed for Babalola’s release on bail, assuring the court of his client’s compliance. He proposed Babalola’s younger brother, a businessman in Akure, Ondo State, as a surety and suggested the defendant report to the nearest police station until the next court date.
Justice Owoeye ruled that Babalola Babatunde be detained at the Assistant Inspector General of Police’s office and adjourned the hearing to Thursday, 23 May 2024.