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Court Sets June 18 To Deliver Judgment On Fani-Kayode’s Trial

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday fixed June 18 for judgment in the alleged money laundering case filed against a former Minister … Continue reading Court Sets June 18 To Deliver Judgment On Fani-Kayode’s Trial


Fani-KayodeA Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday fixed June 18 for judgment in the alleged money laundering case filed against a former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Rita Ofile-Ajumogobia adjourned for judgment after parties in the suit adopted their final written addresses.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, counsel to Fani-Kayode, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe, urged the court to dismiss the two-count charge against the accused and also discharge and acquit him.

He told the court that the defence relied and adopted its final written address filed on April 7, and its reply on point of law to the prosecution’s written address, dated April 27.

According to Fani-Kayode’s lawyers, the prosecution has failed woefully to prove that the accused received the alleged one million Naira, adding that no witness was brought by the EFCC to substantiate its claim.

“We are convinced that that charge cannot be sustained, because nobody was called to say he gave money to our client.

“It is now an accepted principle of law that the prosecution in all criminal cases must prove its case.

“Nobody gave evidence that he gave or saw the accused collecting money (one millon Naira). The only evidence was that of prosecution witness Supo Agbaje, whom the prosecution had declared wanted”, he said.

Responding, the counsel to the EFCC, Mr Festus Keyamo, told the court that the burden of proof had shifted to the defence to prove the source of money found on Mr Fani-Kayode.

He further stated that failure to provide the court with physical evidence of the source of money was against the Money Laundering Act.

“We have made our final written address; we have closed our case and the defense has also closed its case.

“We have done our best and we expect the court to decide one way or the other”, Keyamo said.

After eight years of legal argument, the Judge, Justice Ofili -Ajumogobia, fixed judgement for June 18.