EFCC Closes Money Laundering Case Against Fani-Kayode

The EFCC has finally closed its case in the trial of Fani-Kayode, charged with money laundering, while serving as Minister of Aviation.

In the charge, Fani-Kayode was alleged to have transacted business with funds exceeding N500,000 without going through a financial institution. He was also said to have accepted cash payments in the tune of about N100million, while he held sway as Minister of Aviation and Minister of Culture and Tourism, respectively, contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

When the case was mentioned on Thursday, prosecution counsel, Mr Festus Keyamo, through a letter delivered by Mr Vitalis Ahaotu, informed the court of the closure of its case…

The defence counsel, Mr Wale Akoni (SAN), did not object to the letter by the Prosecution. But he informed the court of his intention to file a no-case submission to the charges against his client.

Consequently, Justice Rita-Ofili Ajumogobia gave defence 21days within which to file their application before the court and ordered the prosecution to respond within seven days, on receipt of the process.

She adjourned the case till Oct. 28 for adoption of final written addresses.

Fani-Kayode was first arraigned in December 2008 before Justice Ramat Mohammed on a 47-count charge. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and Justice Mohammed had granted him bail in the sum of N200 Million, with two sureties in like sum.However, the former minister was re-arraigned before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, following the transfer of the trial judge, Justice Mohammed, from the Lagos Division.

He was again re-arraigned before Ajumogobia on Feb. 11, 2013, following the transfer of Murtala-Nyako.

On March 6, Fani-Kayode was again arraigned before Justice Ajumogobia, this followed the amendment of the 47-count charge by the EFCC. The commission had dropped seven of the counts.

According to NAN, Justice Ajumogobia is the third judge to sit over Fani-Kayode’s case in the last 5 years.