Akure, Ondo State — The Federal High Court in Akure has ordered the detention of Prince Babalola Adebomi, the Oba-Elect of Araromi-Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State, on charges of certificate forgery. The court proceedings, held on Monday, revealed allegations that Adebomi, 48, forged academic and national service certificates to secure employment at the University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti in 2008.
Adebomi is accused of fabricating a University of Ibadan degree and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate. He pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge brought against him under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The charge sheet NO: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 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 and thereby committed 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 and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 12 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.”
The prosecution, led by attorney Itunun Osobu, announced plans to call two witnesses to support the charges against Adebomi.
In his defense, Adebomi’s lawyer, Attah Paul, requested bail, highlighting Adebomi’s strong local ties, including a brother in Akure and a relative who owns property in the area, arguing that his client posed no flight risk.
However, Justice Owoeye denied the bail request at this stage, ordering Adebomi’s detention at the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police until further proceedings. The case has been adjourned until Thursday, May 23, 2024, for further hearing.
