ExpdonaLoaded.blogspot.com (+2348097205188): Expdonaloaded News; Court frees Fani-Kayode of alleged money laundering

Thursday 2 July 2015

Expdonaloaded News; Court frees Fani-Kayode of alleged money laundering

After seven years of trial over allegations of money laundering, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has cause to smile yesterday, as he was discharged and acquitted by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, had on November 17, 2014 dismissed 38 of the 40 counts of money laundering charge slammed on the former Director-General of Goodluck Jonathan 2015 Presidential Campaign Organization.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, in her judgment on the remaining two counts yesterday, said: “Even though it is settled that a total sum of N2.1million was actually paid into the account of the accused, but the giver of the money remains unclear as the prosecution was unable to put substantial facts before the court in this direction”.
The court also formulated two issues to determine whether the accused was guilty or not. These issues, according to the judge, are that: “The prosecution must show there was actually an acceptance of cash payment above N500,000 by the accused and that there was payment of the specified amount into the account of the accused,” and: “The issues must be proved beyond reasonable doubts by the prosecution before the accused can be convicted,” she said.
However, the judge declared that the prosecution has failed to prove these elements which were necessary in criminal trial to convict an accused.
The court noted that it is very necessary for sufficient and unequivocal evidences to be put before the court as to how the monies were lodged in the accused person’s account.
The court also disagreed with the prosecution that the mere deposit of the said sum in Fani-Kayode’s account was enough to nail him.post by expdonaloaded.blogspot.com..
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia also faulted the testimonies of the fourth Prosecution Witness (PW4), Supo Agbaje, who was accused of paying the monies into the accused person’s account.
According to the judge, his testimonies were vague and an afterthought.
Agbaje’s extra judicial statement to the EFCC was said to be at variance with his testimonies before the court.
On the whole, the court held that the prosecution has failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubts.
“I am of the view that the accused should be discharged and acquitted of the case”, the judge held.
In a swift reaction, EFCC expressed shock at the verdict. According to a statement signed by Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the anti-graft agency received with shock the acquittal of Fani-Kayode.
The statement read in parts: “EFCC today received with shock, the ruling of Justice Rita Ofili- Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Lagos, acquitting Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation, of The two-count charge of money laundering preferred against him by the commission.The commission is making effort to obtain a Certified True Copy of the ruling, to enable it respond appropriately after careful review of the judgment.”