Ex-minister fails to attend N4.9bn fraud trial due to heart-related ailment

The N4.9 billion money laundering trial of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, was adjourned on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, after he failed to appear in court due to what his counsel described as a "heart-related" ailment.

His attorney, Norrison Quakers (SAN), asked Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Lagos division of the Federal High Court to adjourn the case because of Fani-Kayode's absence.

He reported that the former minister was currently hospitalised with the ailment and promised to provide a medical report later to back the claim.

The prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo, did not object to the adjournment but noted to Justice Aikawa that according to the provision of Section 396(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, no party, in a criminal case, could have more than five adjournments.

Justice Aikawa adjourned the case till February 28 and March 1 and 2, 2018.

Fraud charge

The former minister is standing trial alongside former Minister of State for Finance, SenatorNenadi Usman, one Danjuma Yusuf and a company, Joint Trust Dimensions Limited.

The 17-count charge against the defendants border on alleged conspiracy, unlawful retention of proceeds of theft and money laundering.