The absence of Justice Sule Hassan of a
Federal High Court in Lagos, on
Wednesday stalled the trial of a former
Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode,
over money laundering.
Fani-Kayode, who was also former
Director of Media and Publicity,
campaign committee of ex- President
Goodluck Jonathan, is charged alongside
a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi
Usman, and Danjuma Yusuf.
Also charged is a company, Joint Trust
Dimension Nig. Ltd.
They were arraigned on a 17-count
charge bordering on unlawful retention,
unlawful use and unlawful payment of
money in the tune of about N4.9 billion.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge and
were granted bail.
On Wednesday, the trial of the accused
could not proceed due to the absence of
the trial judge, who is said to be away on
official assignment.
The trial of the accused was, however,
slated for Oct. 21 for continuation.
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 reasonably
ought to have known formed part of an
unlawful act of corruption.
Meanwhile in counts 15 to17, Fani-
Kayode and one Olubode Oke, who is said
to be at large, were alleged to have made
cash payments of about N30 million.
The amount is said to be in excess of the
amount allowed by law, without going
through a financial institution.
Besides, 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.
All offences were said to have
contravened the provisions of sections 15
(3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the
Money laundering (prohibition)
(Amendment) Act, 2012.
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