EFCC amends money laundering charges against Fani-Kayode
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday filed an amended money laundering charge against Femi Fani-Kayode in a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation Minister, is standing trial on an amended 40 count charge bordering on the offence.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, the prosecutor, Mr Festus Keyamo, informed the court of the amended charge, containing 40 counts, and applied that the plea of the accused be taken.
After count-one was read to the accused, his counsel, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN, raised an objection, arguing that the accused cannot plead to a charge since it was invalid.
Adedipe argued that count one states that the accused “accepted cash payments of over N10 million” without stating the donor of the said money.
He stressed that it was alleged throughout the charge, that the accused “accepted various sums of money, without mentioning the names of the person from whom the monies were received.
He therefore submitted that the charge was invalid, persecutory and oppressive.
Keyamo in response, argued that the charges bordered on money laundering in which monies involved had no source, as opposed to conversion or stealing, where there is a particular source.
He therefore submitted that he was prepared to file a written address on the issue.
Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia in a short ruling, said that both parties were at liberty to either file written addresses, or address the court orally on the issue.
She adjourned the case to Feb. 3
Fani-Kayode was re-arraigned on Feb. 11
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail.
In the charge, the accused was alleged to have transacted with funds exceeding N500,000 without going through a financial institution.
The accused was also alleged to have accepted cash payments in the tune of about N100 million, while he held sway as Minister of Aviation and Minister of Culture and Tourism respectively.
The offence is said to contravene the provisions of Sections 15(1) (a) (b) (c) (d) and 15 (2) (a) (b) of the Money Laundering (prohibition) Act, 2004.