The proposed arraignment of a former Minister for Aviation, Femi Fani -Kayode, was on Tuesday, stalled due to the absence of Justice Sule Hassan of a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Fani-Kayode ,who was also a Director of Media and Publicity in the campaign committee of former President Goodluck Jonathan, is facing money laundering charges alongside Nenandi Usman, Danjuma Yusuf and a company, Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), preferred a 17 – count charge against the accused persons bordering on unlawful retention, use and payment of money in the tune of N4.9 billion.
The case, which was fixed for arraignment of the accused persons, was stalled following the absence of the trial judge, who is said to be attending an official function.
The accused, were however, present in court but had to be taken back to EFCC’s custody, following the judge’s absence.
A new adjourned date, it was gathered, would be communicated to parties.
In the charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015.
In counts one to seven, they were alleged to have unlawfully retained over N3.8 billion ,which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act of stealing and corruption.
In counts eight to 14, the accused were alleged to have unlawfully used over N970 million ,which they reasonbly ought to have known formed part of an unlawful act of corruption.
Also in counts 15 to 17, Fani-Kayode, together with one Olubode Oke ,who is said to now be at large, were alleged to have made cash payments of about N30 million, in excess of the amount allowed by law, without going through a financial institution.
Fani-Kayode was alleged to have made payments to one Paste Poster Co (PPC) of No 125 Lewis St., Lagos, in excess of amounts allowed by law.
and then