The trial of Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation
minister over money laundering charge was today stalled at a Federal High
Court in Lagos following his remand at the Kuje prisons in Abuja.
Fani-Kayode, alongside Nenadi Usman, a former finance
minister and one Danjuma Yusuf are currently facing trial over N4.9billion
charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission
(EFCC).
The anti-graft agency had preferred a 17-count charge
bordering on the alleged offence after which they pleaded guilty and were
granted bail by the court.
During the continuation of trial on October 21,
Fani-Kayode was re-arrested by the EFCC outside the premises of the Lagos
court.
When the case was called on Monday, Fani-Kayode was
absent and his counsel, Mr. Wale Balogun told the court that he has been in
Kuje prisons because he is yet to meet the bail conditions granted him by an
Abuja court.
"My lord, the second accused (Fani-Kayode) was
kept in custody of the prosecution for 21 days without any word, and finally,
arraigned on November 10 before your learned brother, Justice John Tsoho in
Abuja, on a five-count charge bordering on N26million.
"He was subsequently remanded at the Kuje
prisons, and in view of this, we are helpless, as his bail conditions have not
been perfected in spite of frantic efforts by family and friends," Balogun
said.
In response, EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo told
the court that he was aware of the arraignment of Fani-Kayode before an Abuja
division of the court but added that it has nothing to do with the instant
case.
Oyedepo, maintained that the subsequent arrest of the
accused was with a view to serving him with the charge and not to disrespect
the court and urged the court for an adjournment.
He, therefore, urged the court to grant an adjournment
so as to allow the accused appear and stand trial.
The matter was adjourned to December 12, 2016 by the
presiding judge, Justice Sule Muslim Hassan.
Source:Daily Trust
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