A Lagos Federal High Court on Monday, ordered the re-arraignment of former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, facing charges of money laundering.
Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, gave the order while ruling on an application of objection filed by Fani-Kayode’s Counsel, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), challenging the competence of the charges.
The prosecutor, Mr Festus Keyamo, on Jan. 27, filed an amended 40-count charge bothering on money laundering against Fani-Kayode and urged the court to order him take his plea.
Fani-Kayode was first arraigned on Feb. 11, 2013 on a 47-count charge of money laundering.
Fani-Kayode had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail.
In the charge, the accused was alleged to have transacted funds exceeding N500, 000 without going through due financial process.
The accused was also alleged to have accepted cash payments to the tune of about N100 million while he was the Minister of Aviation and that of Culture and Tourism, respectively.
The prosecutor told the court that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 15(1) (a) (b) (c) (d) and 15 (2) (a) (b) of the Money Laundering (prohibition) Act, 2004.
But Adedipe objected to the amended charge preferred against his client.
He argued that the amended charge was invalid as it did not disclose the identity of the source from whom the accused allegedly obtained the money.
He further submitted that his client was therefore not in a position to take his plea in the matter and described the charge as “ incompetent”.
Ruling on the application on Monday, Ofili-Ajumogobia ordered the accused to take his plea.
She held that it was an abject misconception on the part of the defence counsel to have raised the objection in the first place.
“The charge against the accused is valid and hereby sustained.
“The objection raised by the defence counsel lacks merit and should not have been raised in the first place.
“The accused is hereby directed to plead to the charge.”
The judge also agreed with the Prosecution’s submission that the non disclosure of the identity of the giver or receiver of the money was immaterial and could not affect the validity of the charge.
She, therefore, adjourned the case to March 5 to enable the prosecutor re-arraign the accused on the charge of money laundering. (NAN) Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
pot calling kettle black,face your crime
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. Nigeria and kangaroo governance!!!! Re-arraignment of former aviation minister. what about the crimes of the current minister? should she not be sacked and prosecuted too? Is Keyamo blind to the faults of Oduah, Maduake, Wike, okonjo iweala and GEJ. Crimes and frauds in this era spare kinsmen. Ahhh
ReplyDeleteOle ni bobo APC yi sa!
ReplyDeleteHe that lives in a glass house does not throw stone. So face the law.
ReplyDeleteFani Kayode, Anu nnpama,U think say na too much talk this time,thief we de call person thief,Omo Ole
ReplyDeleteGej Is a very useless moron. Y is it dat it is wen FK talks dat court remember his re-araignment. U r all fools & bastards. FK keep talking. Don't b intimidated by these cowards. They can't do anything untill Oduah & co r prosecuted. Bunch of idiots. Waka! Barawo dem all be.
ReplyDeleteNasir el rufai,Fani kayode who suddendly turnd to human right activitist weren't better than the Thieves in government now.U would av also b hailing GEJ if u were in power.Stupid Yeye politicians!
ReplyDeleteI purposely scrolled down to the comments to read ♓O̶̲̥̅̊ω u shamelessly respond to issues with abusive words and miopic minds. Ɣ☺ΰ A̶̲̥̅̊я̲̣̥ε̲̣̣̣̥ all the problem of Nigeria always abusing ɑ̤̥̈̊п̥̥̲̣̣̣ð cursing those in govt, outside govt, everyone. No one stands for the truth Never discussing issues ɑ̤̥̈̊п̥̥̲̣̣̣ð profer solutions SMALL MINDS indeed
ReplyDelete