EFCC asks court to release all documentary evidence on Femi Fani-Kayode Fraud case

EFCC asks court to release all documentary evidence on Femi Fani-Kayode Fraud case: A Federal High Court

has ordered the release of all documentary evidence and processes in the money laundering trial of former

Minister of State for Finance, Nenadi Esther Usman and others, to the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission (EFCC). The prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, made an application before Justice

Daniel Osiagor, to release all documentary evidence or processes in the suit, following the decision

of an appellate court.

Usman is facing charges alongside former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, Yusuf Danjuma, a former

chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and a company, Jointrust

Dimentions Nigeria Ltd. The EFCC had brought forward a 17-count charge bordering on N4.6 billion

money laundering against them before a former judge, Justice Mohammed Aikawa.

EFCC asks court to release all documentary evidence on Femi Fani-Kayode Fraud case:the trial

The trial had begun before Justice Aikawa, and witnesses were still being led in evidence,

until Aikawa was transferred out of the Lagos division. The charge was consequently re-assigned

to a new judge, Justice Daniel Osaigor, and they were re-arraigned on Jan. 24, 2022.

The trial commenced in the case, and witnesses were still giving evidence before the court.

However, following an appeal filed by Usman, seeking a transfer of the case on jurisdictional grounds,

the court of appeal gave a ruling in favour of the defendant. When the case was called on Tuesday,

Oyedepo informed the court of the appellate court’s decision, directing that the case be transferred

to the Abuja division of the court. He also sought an application for the release of all documentary

evidence and exhibits in the case to the prosecution, to save time and avoid delay.

In a short ruling, Justice Osiagor held that in line with the decision of the appellate court,

all documentary evidence as well as exhibits tendered should be released to the prosecution.

In the charge, the defendants were alleged to have committed the offences between January and

March 2015 in Lagos. They were alleged to have at various times unlawfully retained over N4.6 billion which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful acts of stealing and corruption.

the bride

Fani-Kayode and one Olubode Oke, who is said to be at large, were alleged to have made cash

payments of about N30 million, in excess of the amount allowed by law, without going through

a financial institution. The said payments were alleged to have been made to one Paste Poster Co (PPC) of No 125 Lewis St., Lagos, in excess of amounts allowed by law.

All offences were said to have contravened the provisions of sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

The case has been ongoing for several years and has generated a lot of interest from the public.

It is hoped that the release of the documentary evidence and exhibits to the prosecution will facilitate a

speedy trial and bring the matter to a resolution. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by

Nigerians, as it is seen as a test of the government’s commitment to tackling corruption in the country.