By Bamidele Kolawole

The trial of Oba Babalola Adebomi, the Alararomi of Araromi-Ekiti in Ijero Local Government area, took a fresh turn on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Akure, as the embattled royal faced charges of certificate forgery.

The much-anticipated proceeding drew in onlookers but was stalled due to administrative changes.

The presiding judge, Justice Alexander Owoeye, was recently transferred, and with the court on vacation, further delays were inevitable.

The defendant’s counsel, Olumide Ogidan, had sought an application for adoption, but Justice Owoeye cited procedural limitations due to his transfer and the court’s recess.

As the case shifted to Court 2 under the new judge, Honourable Justice T.B. Adegoke, Barrister Tolu Abisagbo requested that the charges be read to the defendant.
Oba Babalola, however, entered a plea of not guilty.

According to charge sheet FHC/AK/16/2024, the royal defendant is accused of knowingly forging documents and presenting them as genuine to a hospital, an offense punishable under Nigeria’s Miscellaneous Offences Act.

Abisagbo urged the court to adjourn the case, noting that he needed time to review the file thoroughly.

In response, Ogidan did not oppose but informed the court of his pending application to transfer the trial to Ekiti.

Justice Adegoke adjourned the case to January 28, 2025. In the meantime, Oba Babalola remains free under his existing bail conditions, pending his next court appearance