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abujagirl
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A federal high court in Lagos yesterday, directed Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former aviation Minister to take his plea in the money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Fani-Kayode's lawyer had raised an objection when EFCC prosecutor Mr. Festus Keyamo sought to re-arraign the former minister.
Adedipe said the charge was invalid as the facts were incomplete.
The charge, he said, stated that Fani-Kayode accepted cash payment but did not specify who gave him the money.
Adedipe said his objection was based on Section 167 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
"The accused is alleged to have received money from a nameless, anonymous person. We have to know the person so we can know who to address. As it is, the charge is vague. They alleged that he ‘accepted’. When you accuse somebody of accepting money, clearly the person from whom the money was accepted becomes important. The other charges there… one of them accused him of having his wife pay money into his account. These charges cannot be valid",he said.
However, Keyamo said the argument that the giver of the money in a charge of money laundering must be disclosed makes utter nonsense of the very essence of the law prohibiting money laundering.
The court which was presided over by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, agreed with Keyamo, saying in a money laundering charge, the giver of the money must not necessarily be specified. March 5 has been fixed for Fani-Kayode’s re-arraignment on an amended 40-count charges.
Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Fani-Kayode's lawyer had raised an objection when EFCC prosecutor Mr. Festus Keyamo sought to re-arraign the former minister.
Adedipe said the charge was invalid as the facts were incomplete.
The charge, he said, stated that Fani-Kayode accepted cash payment but did not specify who gave him the money.
Adedipe said his objection was based on Section 167 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
"The accused is alleged to have received money from a nameless, anonymous person. We have to know the person so we can know who to address. As it is, the charge is vague. They alleged that he ‘accepted’. When you accuse somebody of accepting money, clearly the person from whom the money was accepted becomes important. The other charges there… one of them accused him of having his wife pay money into his account. These charges cannot be valid",he said.
However, Keyamo said the argument that the giver of the money in a charge of money laundering must be disclosed makes utter nonsense of the very essence of the law prohibiting money laundering.
The court which was presided over by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, agreed with Keyamo, saying in a money laundering charge, the giver of the money must not necessarily be specified. March 5 has been fixed for Fani-Kayode’s re-arraignment on an amended 40-count charges.