A Federal High Court in Abuja was unable
to proceed with the trial of a former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi
Fani- Kayode, as scheduled on Wednesday because of the ex-minister’s ill
health.
The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission had on November 11, 2016, arraigned Fani-Kayode on five
charges involving alleged diversion of N26m which he allegedly received
from the then National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, under the guise
of payment for contract.
The ex-minister allegedly received the
money from the Office of the National Security Adviser while he was the
Director of Media and Publicity in the campaign organisation of
ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Fani-Kayode allegedly received the money
from the ONSA when he “reasonably ought to have known that the said
fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Dasuki and
the then Director of Finance and Administration of the ONSA, Shuaibu
Salisu”.
The EFCC also accused the former
minister of transacting with the said N26m without going through
financial institution as required under the Money Laundering Act.
Justice John Tsoho had fixed Wednesday
for commencement of trial, but the proceedings were stalled because of
Fani-Kayode’s absence from court.
The ex-minister’s lawyer, Mr. Wale
Balogun, who apologised to the judge for his client’s absence said the
defendant had wished to be present in court on Wednesday out of respect
for the court but that the doctor advised the defendant against such
idea.
The defence lawyer, who did not mention
the nature of Fani-Kayode’s ailment, also showed the judge a letter from
an undisclosed hospital where the former minister was said to be
receiving treatment.
Balogun, therefore, asked for an adjournment of the case.
Responding to the judge’s question on
whether or not he had an objection to the request for an adjournment,
the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Johnson Ojogbane, confirmed that he had
been shown the medical report on Fani-Kayode’s health status.
He said he would not object to the
request for adjournment since it was the first time the defence would be
asking for such adjournment.
Justice Tsoho then adjourned till February 6.
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