Court Fixes Feb. 23 For Fani-Kayode To Open Defence in Money Laundering Case

Court Fixes Feb. 23 For Fani-Kayode To Open Defence in Money Laundering Case

Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday fixed February 23, 2015 for former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode to open his defence in the money laundering case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Fani-Kayode is standing trial before the court on a two count charge of laundering the sum of N2.1 million, while he was serving in the Obasanjo’s administration.

He was specifically accused of conducting financial transaction exceeding N500,000, which was not done through a financial institution by accepting cash payment of various sum which was further carried in cash to First City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB)) through some of his associates. 

It will be recalled that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia on November 17 while delivering ruling no a case submission filed by the former minister had discharged and acquitted him of 38 out of the 40 counts charge preferred against him.

she had, however, ordered him to enter his defence with respect to counts 25 and 26 of the charge, on which allegations of monetary payments were made.

Counts 25 reads: "That you, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode on or before 20th Sept. 2006, while serving as minister of culture and tourism of the Federal republic of Nigeria, in lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, made a transaction exceeding N500,000 which was not done through financial institution, by accepting cash payment of N1 million, which sum was further paid into your personal account number, 103450252601 with First Inland Bank PLc Apapa branch, now FCMB, through one Supo Agbaje, your administrative staff, now at large.

Count 26 reads: "That you, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode on or before 20th Sept. 2006, while serving as minister of culture and tourism of the Federal republic of Nigeria, in lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, made a transaction exceeding N500,000 which was not done through financial institution, by accepting cash payment of N1.1 million, which sum was further paid into your personal account number, 103450252601 with First Inland Bank PLc Apapa branch, now FCMB, through one Supo Agbaje, your administrative staff, now at large.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, counsel to the EFCC, Festus Keyamo informed the court that the business of the day was for the accused to open his defence and that he was ready to go on.

But responding, the defence counsel, Wale Akoni (SAN), told the court that although he agreed that the matter was for the defence to open its case, he would require time to put his house in order.

He therefore, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him regularise his position.

Following no opposition from the prosecutor to the motion, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia adjourned the suit to February 23 and Feb. 24, 2015 for continuation of trial.