The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday stated that the former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode must answer the money laundering charges brought against him.
Wilson Uwugiaren stated this in a telephone interview with our Correspondent from Abuja.
According to him, “Fani-Kayode was arraigned on an amended 40-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of about N100, 219,500, but the court held that he must prepare his defence on two other charges. So, it can still be argued that he is not yet a free man, as far as EFCC is concerned.”
The Judge stressed that the prosecution had earlier made a prima facie case on count 25 and 26 and as a result, the accused should appear before the court and open his defense on the mentioned counts, even as she discharged and acquitted Fani-Kayode on all other counts.
At the last hearing, after the EFCC had concluded its case against the former minister, he elected not to put in a defense and instead filed a no-case submission in which he argued that the EFCC had failed to establish a prima facie case of fraud against him. He argued that there was no nexus between him and the alleged offence.
However, the EFCC urged the court to dismiss the no-case submission on the ground that it was incompetent and frivolous, and also prayed the court to order Fani- Kayode to open his defense on the charges. Justice Ajumogobia adjourned the matter till December 5th, 2014 for continuation of trial.
It would be recalled that the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, south-west Nigeria, has on Monday, allegedly cleared the former Aviation Minister of 38 charges, partly upholding his no case Submission.
Mr Fani-Kayode was facing charges bordering on money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
After 38 of the 40 charges were dismissed Mr. Fani-Kayode, had told newsmen on the court premises that he was accused of stealing 99 million Naira from the Aviation Intervention Fund by the EFCC. He said that the crime actually took place before he became the Minister of Aviation.
