A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday, further adjourned until Nov. 20, for adoption of written addresses, in the trial of a surgeon Anuoluwapo Adepoju, charged with alleged evasion from investigation into a failed plastic surgery.
She is standing trial alongside her Clinic, MedContour Services Ltd, on a five-counts charge bordering on a refusal to honour an invitation for investigation into a post-body surgery complications, as well as production of investigation documents.
The defendant was alleged to have failed to show up, in compliance with the commission’s summons dated April 15, 2020.
The prosecution also alleged that without sufficient cause, the first defendant also refused and failed to produce documents which she was required to produce in compliance with the commission’s notice of investigation dated April 14. 2020.
The defendant was alleged to have prevented and obstructed the commission from carrying out its investigation into the said issue.
The offences contravenes the provision of sections 11(1)(a), 33(1)(a), 110, 113(1)(a) and 159(4) of the FCCPC Act, 2018.
The case however, suffered several adjournments on different dates, for various reasons.
The defendant was led in evidence and also cross examined after which the court adjourned the case until June 21, for adoption of written addresses.
On June 21, the court did not sit and the case was then adjourned until July 17. when she was re-arraigned on alongside her Medical outfit, before Justice Mohammed Liman.
She had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on self recognition. The case was subsequently adjourned until Oct. 24 (yesterday).
Though Justice Liman had been transferred out of the Lagos division of the court, he still presides over the case on a fiat.
Trial has since commenced in the suit and the FCCPC had also since closed its case.
The defence on its part, filed a no case submission for the defendant on grounds that no case had been established against her by prosecution, to warrant her entering a defence.
Meanwhile, Justice Liman had in a ruling delivered on April 7, 2022 rejected the no case submission by the defendant.
Hearing will now resume on the new date, November 20.
SOURCES: The Nation & PM News
