10th February, 2014
Akin Kuponiyi
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, Monday dismissed an application filed before the court by the former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode urging the court to quash the criminal charges preferred against him pending before the court.
The ruling of the court followed an application filed before the court by Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe, urging the court to quash the charge on the ground that it is oppressive, persecutory and invalid.
He cited section 167 of Criminal Procedure Act. to buttress his argument.
He further contended that in the charge the name of the person who gave Fani-Kayode the money he was accused of was not mentioned.
The 40-count charge borders on the allegation that Fani-Kayode transacted financial business without going through financial institution especially when the amount was more than N500,000.
In his response the EFCC prosecutor, Mr Festus Keyamo, said the charge is not stealing neither is it conversion but Fani-Kayode was arrested with huge sums of money which he colud not explain how he came about. Therefore, in money laundering charges, the source of the money does not matter.
In her ruling, Justice Rita Ofili Ajumogobia, while dismissing the application, said the objection lacks merit.
She thereafter adjourned the matter till 5 March this year when the former aviation minister would be re-arraigned.