The Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has been discharged and acquitted of thirty-eight count charge of money laundering on Monday, November 17, 2014 by federal High Court sitting in Lagos, as he was ordered to enter his defense in the remaining two counts.
The
presiding judge, Rita Ofili Ajumogobia in her ruling, stated that “in
considering the issue of no case submission as filed by the defense
counsel, certain laid down principles needed to be considered, such
as the following.
Has
the prosecution led any evidence to link the accused person to the
commission of the offense?
Is the
evidence adduced by the prosecution so credible to sway the court to
compel the accused person to enter his defense and is the evidence so
adduced make meaning and sense to any discerning minds?”, she
inqired
The
court added that the prosecution has led evidence to show the
ingredient of the offense which will necessitate the minister to
enter his defense.
After
the court ruling, Dr Abiodun Layonu, who is leading two other lawyers
Tola Oshobi, T. Adigun for the defense urged the court to give them
short adjournment The case was consequently adjourned till Monday,
December 8, 2014 when Fani-Kayode is expected to open his defense on
those two counts.
Fani-Kayode,
is standing trial on an amended 40 count charge, bordering on the
alleged offences of transacting business without going through
financial institution and has been prosecuted by the anti-graft
agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC)
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