Babalola Adebomi, the Oba-Elect of Araromi-Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was arraigned on Monday at the Federal High Court in Akure, Ondo State, on charges of certificate forgery.
According to the charge sheet, Babalola, 48, faces two counts of forgery. He is accused of forging a University of Ibadan certificate and presenting it to the University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti for a job in 2008.
Additionally, he allegedly forged a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate and used it to secure employment at the same hospital.
The charges, documented in sheet NO:FHC/AK/16/2024, state: “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 utter 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, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
“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 utter 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, thereby committing 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 that he had filed an application on notice and requested a hearing for the application.
Prosecution attorney Itunu Osobu stated that he had not yet reviewed the issues raised by the defense attorney in his response to the counter-affidavit filed. Osobu indicated his intention to call two witnesses to prove the charges against Babalola.
The defense attorney requested that the court release Babalola on bail, assuring that he would not jump bail. When asked about a surety, Attah mentioned that Babalola’s younger brother, a businessman based in Akure, and his in-law, who owns property in Akure, could serve as sureties.
He also requested that Babalola be allowed to present himself to the nearest police station pending the adjournment date.
In his ruling, Justice Owoeye ordered that Babalola Babatunde be detained at the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police. The case was adjourned until Thursday, May 23, 2024, for further hearing.
