Fani-Kayode’s absence stalls money laundering trial

The trial of former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, was stalled at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday.

This was due to the absence of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain.

Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, B. F. Ajudua, said he was “indisposed”, but did not state openly what was ailing the former minister.

“We apologise for the absence of the second defendant. A letter to that effect was filed,” he told the court.

Fani-Kayode, Director of Publicity of the Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2015, is on trial with former Minister of State for Finance, Mrs. Nenadi Usman, for alleged money laundering.

They were charged with former Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Chairman and ex-Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr. Yusuf Danjuma, and a company, Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Limited.

The quartet were accused of violating the Money Laundering Act by indirectly retaining N300million, N400million and N800million, all proceeds of corruption, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The prosecution said they allegedly committed the offence, to which they pleaded not guilty, between January 8 and March 25, 2015 ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The judge adjourned until June 24 for ruling and possible trial-within-trial.

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