Former aviation minister, Olufemi Fani-Kayode, who has been facing a money laundering case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since 2008, has been finally discharged and acquitted by a Federal High Court. “So how do we get to this momentous event.
July 2008
He was first arrested on 1 July, 2008 by EFCC in connection with the alleged misappropriation of a 19.5 billion naira Aviation Intervention Fund. He was later arraigned before the Federal High Court in December 2008. He was charged with 47 counts of money laundering before the Federal high court.
Fani-Kayode stated that he was innocent and that the monies were funds received from his own private businesses and legitimate sources and had nothing to do with government funds, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail. He revealed that he was persecuted by the Yar’Adua government and the EFCC for political reasons. He claimed he was being targeted in the same manner other colleagues from Obasanjo’s administration.
March 2009
Trial commenced and the prosecution called an officer of First Inland Bank to give evidence in support of its case and sought to tender a certified copy of the computer generated statement of account of the Respondent domiciled with the Bank through the said witness.
March 2014
EFCC opened its case against the erstwhile minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, calling six witnesses to corroborate the charges against him, with all witnesses giving various testimonies about their relationship with him. These were the investigating police officers, bank legal officers, and a former aide to the accused.
July 10 2014
EFCC reportedly closed its case in the protracted trial of the former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, who was charged with various counts of money laundering. The defence counsel, Wale Akoni (SAN), consequently informed the court of his intention to file a no-case submission to the charges against his client.
Justice Rita-Ofili Ajumogobia gave the defence 21 days to file their application before the court and ordered the prosecution to respond within seven days, on receipt of the process.
November 2014
Defence counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), filed a no-case submission on behalf of his client, Fani-Kayode saying he had also filed a reply on points of law in response to the issues raised by the prosecution. However, Festus Keyamo, the EFCC prosecutor, urged the court to uphold his written submissions in opposition to the no-case submission, calling on the accused to enter his defence.
Femi Fani-Kayode was on Monday acquitted of 38 of the 40-count charge against him, while the court ordered him to enter a defence for the remaining two charges. Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, the presiding judge at the Lagos federal high court, discharged and acquitted him of the charges levelled against him on lack of proof.
February 2015
A Federal High Court in Lagos further adjourned the case till February 24 and 25, 2015. The trial was stalled on Monday owing to the absence in court of EFCC prosecutor, Festus Keyamo. The trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, adjourned till Feb 23 for Fani-Kayode to open argument in his own defence against the charges of financial impropriety leveled against him.
March 26 2015
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, closed arguments in his money laundering case at the Federal High Court in Lagos. Fani-Kayode, Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO) is facing money laundering charges before the court.
His legal team, which was expected to call upon its third listed witness to disprove the allegations, told the presiding judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, at the resumed trial that after a further review of its case, it realised that the testimony of its third witness was no longer necessary.
The team, led by Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), therefore asked the judge for a short adjourned date for parties to file their final written addresses and move same in court.
May 4, 2015
A Federal High Court, Lagos, Federal High Court, Lagos, fixed June 18 for judgment in the alleged money laundering case filed against Fani-Kayode by EFCC. Justice Rita Ofile-Ajumogobia adjourned for judgment after parties in the suit adopted their final written addresses.
June 18, 2015
Justice Rita Ofili Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State, deferred judgment in the case of a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, till July 1, 2015 owning to the fact that the lead prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo was absent in court.
July 1 2015
Femi Fani Kayode was discharged and acquitted of corruption charges at a Federal high court sitting in Lagos. Sitting Judge Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia in her judgement said the prosecution’s case was “feeble” and failed to provide “copious evidence” linking Fani-Kayode to money laundering.
