EFCC closes case on Fani-Kayode

Posted by FactNews Admin | 10 years ago | 3,077 times



THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, closed its case, in the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, charged with money laundering before a Federal High Court, Lagos.
Fani-Kayode was facing a 40-count amended charge, bordering on alleged corruption.

At Thursday's proceeding, the prosecution, represented by Vitalis Ahaotu, informed the court of a letter from his principal, Festus Keyamo, informing the court of its intention to close its case.

Defence counsel, Wale Akoni (SAN), raised no object but was quick to tell the court of his intention to file a no case submission in response to the charge against the accused.

Consequently, Justice Rita-Ofili Ajumogobia gave the defence 21 days within which to file their application and the prosecution seven days to file its response.

The judge therefore adjourned till October 28 for parties to adopt their final written addresses.

The anti-graft agency had opened its case on March 10 where five witnesses, including Investigating Police Officers, bank legal officers, and a former aide to Fani-Kayode testified.

Fani-Kayode was first arraigned sometime in December 2008 before Justice Ramat Mohammed on a 47-count charge.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum.

He was re-arraigned before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, following the transfer of Mohammed from the Lagos Division.

After the transfer of Justice Murtala-Nyako, the former minister was again re-arraigned before Justice Ajumogobia on Febuary 11, 2013.

But on March 6, the EFCC dropped seven of the counts and consequently, he was again re-arraigned before Ajumogobia on amended 40-count charge.

Ajumogobia is the third trial judge in the last five years.

In the charge, the accused was alleged to have transacted with funds exceeding N500,000 without going through a financial institution.

Fani-kayode was also accused of accepting cash payments to the tune of about N100 million, while he held sway as Minister of Aviation and Minister of Culture and Tourism respectively.

The alleged offences contravene the provisions of Sections 15(1) (a) (b) (c) (d) and 15 (2) (a) (b) of the Money Laundering (prohibition) Act, 2004.


Source: TheGuardian Newspaper

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