EFCC Case: Fani-Kayode Escapes Prosecution
Nigeria’s former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode
has been discharged and acquitted of corruption charges by a federal
high court sitting in Lagos.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, the judge said the prosecutor’s case was “feeble” and failed to provide “copious evidence” linking the former minister to money laundering.
The trial which began in 2008 before Justice Ramat Mohammed, was instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for allegedly laundering totaling about N100
million while he was minister of culture and tourism and subsequently, aviation minister.
However, the sum was reduced to N2.1million on November 17, 2014 after the court dismissed 38 of the 40-count charge for lack of proof. The EFCC prosecutor, Festus Keyamo, while urging the court to uphold the remaining two counts and to accordingly convict Mr. Fani-Kayode, said the former minister failed to exonerate himself of the allegations.
Popular lawyer, Festus Keyamo, who is the EFCC’s lawyer, while urging the court to prosecute Fani-Kayode for the remaining two counts, claimed the former minister transacted in cash sums above N500,000, whle serving in government.
He argued, “once you cannot explain the source of the large sum of money found on you, you are guilty of money laundering. If the prosecution must show where the money is coming from, then the whole essence of the money laundering law is defeated.
“It is not in all cases that the burden of proof lies on the prosecution; the burden at this point shifts to the accused person.”
Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), in his summary argument, said his client made no confession to the EFCC, adding that the anti-graft agency failed to show that the former minister actually accepted a cash sum of N1million as alleged.
See photos from the court session below (Photo credit: Sahara Reporters):
The trial was earlier stalled because of the absence of the prosecution counsel, Keyamo the last time the court sat to deliver judgement on the case.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, the judge said the prosecutor’s case was “feeble” and failed to provide “copious evidence” linking the former minister to money laundering.
The trial which began in 2008 before Justice Ramat Mohammed, was instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for allegedly laundering totaling about N100
million while he was minister of culture and tourism and subsequently, aviation minister.
However, the sum was reduced to N2.1million on November 17, 2014 after the court dismissed 38 of the 40-count charge for lack of proof. The EFCC prosecutor, Festus Keyamo, while urging the court to uphold the remaining two counts and to accordingly convict Mr. Fani-Kayode, said the former minister failed to exonerate himself of the allegations.
Popular lawyer, Festus Keyamo, who is the EFCC’s lawyer, while urging the court to prosecute Fani-Kayode for the remaining two counts, claimed the former minister transacted in cash sums above N500,000, whle serving in government.
He argued, “once you cannot explain the source of the large sum of money found on you, you are guilty of money laundering. If the prosecution must show where the money is coming from, then the whole essence of the money laundering law is defeated.
“It is not in all cases that the burden of proof lies on the prosecution; the burden at this point shifts to the accused person.”
Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), in his summary argument, said his client made no confession to the EFCC, adding that the anti-graft agency failed to show that the former minister actually accepted a cash sum of N1million as alleged.
See photos from the court session below (Photo credit: Sahara Reporters):
A jubilant Fani-Kayode acknowledging cheers from some of his supporters
Fani-Kayode heading to his car
A victorious Fani-Kayode in his car as he prepares to leave the court premises
Prosecuting counsel Festus Keyamo
EFCC Case: Fani-Kayode Escapes Prosecution
![EFCC Case: Fani-Kayode Escapes Prosecution]()
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