COURT RESERVES JUDGEMENT IN FAILED BUTTOCKS ENLARGEMENT SURGERY TRIAL

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On Tuesday, a Federal High Court in Lagos reserved judgment in a suit filed against a surgeon, Anuoluwapo Adepoju, who is standing trial over alleged failed buttocks enlargement surgery.

The Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission (FCCPC) dragged Adepoju to court.

Adepoju, along with her clinic, MedContour Services Ltd., is facing five counts of charges that revolve around her allegedly refusing to accept an invitation for an inquiry into issues following body surgery.

She was re-arraigned on July 17, 2020, alongside her medical outfit.

Tuesday was set aside for the ruling by Justice Mohammed Liman following the adoption of each party’s final addresses in November 2023.

However, the court notified the parties that a new date would be notified to them shortly because the judgment was not ready on Tuesday as previously planned.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has filed charges against the defendant.

She was given bail upon her own recognition after entering a not guilty plea to the crime.

Despite this, Justice Liman was later moved out of the Lagos Division of the court and continues to preside over the case on a fiat basis.

The prosecution called multiple witnesses when the matter went to trial and then concluded.

The defense, for its part, submitted a no-case statement, arguing that the prosecution had not proven enough of the defendant’s guilt to support her joining the defense.

In a decision dated April 7, 2022, Justice Liman dismissed the defendant’s no-case submission.

According to Liman, the evidence that has been presented to the court thus far supports aspects of the criminal allegations that are currently pending against her.

As a result, the defendant was required by the court to begin her defense.

However, the case was postponed multiple times on different dates for a variety of reasons.

The defense opened the case on May 5, 2023, calling the first defendant their lone witness.

Following the defendant’s introduction of evidence and cross-examination, the case was postponed by the court to June 21, 2023, in order to allow for the adoption of written addresses.

The case was postponed until July 17, 2023, October 24, 2023, and November 20, 2023, when the court was not in session on June 21, 2023.

The adoption of counsel’s addresses took place virtually on November 20, 2023, and the date of the decision was set for January 23 (today).

The parties will now be informed of a revised date for judgment.

In the five-count charge brought against the defendants, the prosecution alleged that the first defendant failed to appear before the FCCPC in relation to investigation into a reported failed buttocks enlargement surgery.

The defendant was accused of neglecting to comply with the summons issued by the Commission on April 15, 2020.

The prosecution further claimed that the first defendant failed to disclose documents that were requested of her in accordance with the Commission’s notice of investigation dated April 14, 2020, and refused to do so without a valid reason.

The defendant was alleged to have prevented and obstructed the Commission from carrying out its investigation into the said issue.

The offence, the state said, contravenes the provision of sections 11(1)(a), 33(1)(a), 110, 113(1)(a) and 159(4) of the FCCPC Act, 2018.