EFCC re-arraigns Fani-Kayode

www.ngguardiannews.com

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Monday re-arraigned a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged money laundering.

Fani-Kayode, who is facing a 47-count charge bordering essentially on money laundering and misappropriation of fund, had earlier pleaded not guilty.

When the case came up for hearing yesterday before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, he also pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

His lawyer, Chief Ladi Williams (SAN), had urged the court to allow the accused continue with the bail conditions granted by Justice Ramat Mohammed, the initial trial judge.

He also told the court to allow the accused to travel abroad at will for medical check-up, adding that the second trial judge, Justice Binta Murtala Nyako, had granted such leave to him.

The application for bail was not opposed by the prosecutor, Mr. Nelson Okedinachi, who subsequently requested for a trial date.

Ofili-Ajumogobia, in her ruling, allowed the accused to continue with the earlier bail granted by Mohammed.

She adjourned the case to March 11, 12 and 13 for trial.

The re-arraignment was due to the transfer of Murtala-Nyako (the second trial judge) from the Lagos jurisdiction of the court.

Ofili-Ajumogobia became the third trial judge to handle the case.