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.
More..
- 10 most expensive mobile phones in the world (Photos)
- 10 best special forces in the world (With Pictures)
- 22 early warning signs of a bad boyfriend
- Top 10 most amazing places on earth – You won’t believe these places exist! (Pictures)
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):
CLICK HERE to join our BBM Channel for faster updates
TOP POSTS YESTERDAY
- 10 upcoming original movies you just have to see
- FG exposes Okonjo Iweala – You need to see what she did in Jonathan’s administration
- 15 facts about the Matrix that will shatter your reality
- Top 10 technologically advanced wrist watches (+Pics)
- Atiku’s son exposes Dangote – See what he said!
- 10 most shocking final words of criminals (+Pictures)
- 11 celebs who wish they were black (+Pictures)
- 15 most jaw dropping shark attack survivor stories (With Pictures)
- 10 Celebs who flash their riches on Social Media (With Pictures)
- 6 celebs who were too ugly for Hollywood (+Photos)
- 10 most intelligent animals in the world – You’ll be shocked seeing this! (With Pictures)
Discussion about this post