Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode must answer the money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Justice Rita Ofili- Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court ruled in Lagos, on Monday.
A statement by the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said Fani-Kayode was arraigned on an amended 40-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of about N100, 219,500, but the court held that he must prepare his defence on two other charges.
"The prosecution has made a prima facie case on count 25 and 26 and as a result, the accused should appear before the court and open his defense on the mentioned counts," the judge said as she discharged and acquitted Fani-Kayode on all other counts.
At the last hearing, after the EFCC had concluded its case against the former minister, he elected not to put in a defense and instead filed a no-case submission in which he argued that the EFCC had failed to establish a prima facie case of fraud against him. He argued that there was no nexus between him and the alleged offence.
However, the EFCC urged the court to dismiss the no-case submission on the ground that it was incompetent and frivolous, and also prayed the court to order Fani- Kayode to open his defense on the charges.
Justice Ajumogobia adjourned the matter till December 5th, 2014 for continuation of trial.
It remains unclear how the EFCC expects a victory over Mr. Fani-Kayode in court when he enjoys the protection of President Goodluck Jonathan after defecting to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) a few months ago.