Femi Fani-Kayode was charged with money laundering alongside former Minister of State for Finance, Nenandi Usman.
Ex-Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has been cleared of all charges of misappropriation of ₦4.6 billion and money laundering by the Appeal Court.
Fani-Kayode, who expressed his gratitude to God for his deliverance, took to his verified Twitter handle to share the news of his acquittal.
The APC campaign spokesperson further revealed that the case has been ongoing for a lengthy seven years. In his words, “Yesterday, the Court of Appeal quashed the charges filed against me, the former Minister of Finance Nenadi Usman, and others at the Federal High Court in Lagos by the EFCC for the misappropriation of 4.6 billion nairas and money laundering.”
Background of situation
Femi Fani-Kayode was charged with money laundering alongside former Minister of State for Finance, Nenandi Usman, former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria Yusuf Danjuma, and Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Ltd.
The charges relate to the alleged unlawful retention of over ₦4.6 billion between January and March 2015 in Lagos. The defendants are accused of retaining proceeds of unlawful acts of stealing and corruption.
Fani-Kayode and one Olubode Oke, who is said to be at large, are also alleged to have made cash payments of about ₦30 million to one Paste Poster Co (PPC) in excess of amounts allowed by law without going through a financial institution.
The charges contravene the provisions of sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initially brought a 17-count charge against the defendants before Justice Mohammed Aikawa. The defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
The case began before Justice Aikawa, but the trial judge was transferred out of the Lagos division, and the case was assigned to a new judge, Justice Daniel Osaigor. The defendants had to start the case from the beginning. Witnesses were being led in evidence before the transfer.
FFK’s political jumps
Fani-Kayode has served in notable governmental positions and has been affiliated with the dominant parties in Nigeria. He served as a minister in the administrations of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. He was a prominent member of the People’s Democratic Party, then defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress, before returning to the PDP ahead of the 2015 general elections.
