Arms deal: Magistrate orders Fani-Kayode to remain in EFCC custody

An Ikeja Chief Magistrate's Court yesterday granted the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to remand former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, over an alleged N1.5bn fraud.

Chief Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi (Mrs.) granted the remand application after hearing arguments of lawyers representing the anti-graft agency and Fani-Kayode, Mr. A. N. Anana and Wale Balogun respectively.

EFCC had argued that the remand application, which was pursuant to section 261 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2011 of Lagos State, was to remand the former spokesman for the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation in the 2015 general election, pending when he would be properly arraigned at the appropriate court.

However in opposition to the remand request, Balogun argued that the anti-graft agency's application was a move to breach his client's constitutional rights, adding that the defendant had been granted an administrative bail and perfected it, but that the EFCC never granted him freedom.

He also informed the court that the anti-graft agency had got the same order of remand before an Abuja Chief Magistrate court.

He therefore urged the court to disregard the EFCC's remand application against his client. But Chief Magistrate Osunsanmi, while dismissing the application, ruled that the defence lawyer failed to exhibit any document before the court to show that the former minister had been charged before any court for the alleged offence. Consequently, the court ordered that Fani-Kayode be remanded at the EFCC's custody for 21 days, pending when he would be arraigned at the appropriate court. The matter has been adjourned till June 15 for further hearing.

Fani Kayode who was brought to court in white caftan and a pair of rubber slippers was driven away in a white Hiace Bus marked Abuja BWR 641 GA after the remand order