By Bamidele Kolawole

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The trial of the Oba-Elect of Araromi-Ekiti in the Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Prince Babalola Babatunde, suffered setback on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Akure, following the issue of territorial jurisdiction raised by the defendant’s counsel.

Prince Babalola is facing charges of alleged certificate forgery.

When the case came up on Thursday for hearing, the complainant’s counsel, Blessing Eleng, after announcing her appearance, informed the court that she had received an application from the defendant’s counsel on Wednesday, requesting for transfer of the case from the Federal High Court in Akure to the Federal High Court in Ekiti, citing territorial jurisdiction.

Eleng explained that the application was based on territorial jurisdiction. Hence, she requested the court to adjourn the case to allow her time to respond to the application on legal grounds.

The defendant’s lawyer, Olumide Ogidan, confirmed that he had filed a motion to transfer the case to the Ekiti Judicial Division of the Federal High Court.

He canvassed that it was the most appropriate forum for the just determination of the case and would be more convenient for all parties involved. He did not oppose the request for adjournment.

Justice Alexander Owoeye adjourned the case until July 16, 2024, for further hearing on the issue of transfer.

At his arraignment, Prince Babalola was charged with two counts of forging certificates from the University of Ibadan and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and an NYSC discharge certificate, which he was said to have presented it to the University Teaching Hospital for employment.