The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday filed an
amended money laundering charge against a former Minister of Aviation,
Femi Fani-Kayode, at a Federal High Court in Lagos.
At the resumed hearing of the case, the Prosecutor, Mr Festus Keyamo
informed the court of the amended charge containing 40 counts and applied
that the plea of the accused be taken.
After first count was read to the accused, his Counsel, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe
(SAN), raised an objection that the charge was invalid and his client
could not plead to it.
Adedipe argued that the count stated that the accused “accepted cash
payments of over N10 million”, without stating the donor of the said
money.
He said it was alleged throughout the charge that the accused “accepted
various sums of money”, without mentioning the names of the persons from
whom they were received.
The counsel submitted that the charge was “invalid, persecutory and
oppressive”.
Keyamo, in response, argued that the charge bordered on money laundering
in which monies involved had no source as opposed to conversion or
stealing where there was a particular source.
He submitted that he was prepared to file a written address on the issue.
Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, in a short ruling, said that both parties
were at liberty to either file written addresses or address the court
orally on the issue.
She adjourned the case to Feb. 3 for ruling.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fani-Kayode was earlier
re-arraigned on Feb. 11, on an amended 47-count charge.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail.
In the charge, the accused was alleged to have transacted with funds
exceeding N500, 000 without going through a financial institution.
The accused was also alleged to have accepted cash payments of about N100
million while he served as Minister of Aviation and Minister of Culture
and Tourism respectively.
The offences were said to contravene the provisions of Sections 15(1) (a)
(b) (c) (d) and 15 (2) (a) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act,
2004. (NAN)