The trial of the Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, was stalled on Monday at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former minister of Aviation over an alleged money laundering.
The trial, however, could not go on because the prosecution’ counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo, was absent in court.
Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia had adjourned for the former minister to open his defence.
Fani-Kayode, accompanied by some aides, was in court and duly went into the dock when the case was called.
However, Mr. Somadina Okore, who represented EFCC, drew the court’s attention to a letter by Keyamo, saying he would not be available.
He said Keyamo had another case at the Federal High Court in Yola, and that he had asked that a new date be fixed so that he could prosecute the matter himself.
Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN), said he was aware of the letter and that he had no objection to the request for an adjournment.
He also reminded the court that the matter was adjourned till Tuesday, adding that if it was convenient for the court, his client would return to stand trial.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia had discharged and acquitted Fani-Kayode of 38 out of 40 counts of alleged money laundering.
The judge, while ruling on the defendant’s no-case submission on November 17, last year, held that the commission did not prove the other charges sufficiently.
She partially upheld Fani-Kayode’s no-case submission and directed him to open defence in two charges (25 and 26).
She discharged and acquitted him on the 38 other charges on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove “elements” of the allegations.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former minister of Aviation over an alleged money laundering.
The trial, however, could not go on because the prosecution’ counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo, was absent in court.
Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia had adjourned for the former minister to open his defence.
Fani-Kayode, accompanied by some aides, was in court and duly went into the dock when the case was called.
However, Mr. Somadina Okore, who represented EFCC, drew the court’s attention to a letter by Keyamo, saying he would not be available.
He said Keyamo had another case at the Federal High Court in Yola, and that he had asked that a new date be fixed so that he could prosecute the matter himself.
He also reminded the court that the matter was adjourned till Tuesday, adding that if it was convenient for the court, his client would return to stand trial.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia had discharged and acquitted Fani-Kayode of 38 out of 40 counts of alleged money laundering.
The judge, while ruling on the defendant’s no-case submission on November 17, last year, held that the commission did not prove the other charges sufficiently.
She partially upheld Fani-Kayode’s no-case submission and directed him to open defence in two charges (25 and 26).
She discharged and acquitted him on the 38 other charges on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove “elements” of the allegations.
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