N4.9b Money Laundering: Trial of Fani-Kayode, Nenadi Usman begins

Nenadi Usman and Femi Fani-Kayode at previous appearance in the court

The trial of former aviation minister, Mr. Femi Fani-kayode, former Finance Minister Nenadi Esther Usman and Danjuma Yusuf in alleged N4.9 billion money laundering has begun at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The commencement of trial followed an order issued by the presiding judge Mallan Sule after dismissing an application for adjournment filed by counsel for the former minister and the other accused persons.

The application for adjournment was vehemently opposed by the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, who urged the court to begin trial today.

Justice Sule in his ruling dismissed the application as being a mere technicality and a ploy to further delay the trial of the accused persons, as witnesses set to be called by the prosecution had his statement attached to the prove of evidence.

In addition, the judge ruled that the witness can give evidence today for the court to adjourn till a later date for cross -examination.

Following this, the trial of the accused commenced in earnest with the first witness giving his evidence.

Fani-Kayode, Usman and Dajuma are being tried before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on a 17-count charge of unlawful retention, unlawful use and unlawful payment of money to the tune of about N4.9 billion.

The three accused persons and a limited liability company, Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited, were alleged to have commited the offences between January and March 2015.

Fani-Kayode, who was also a Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign committee of ex President Goodluck Jonathan, and Nenandi Usman, former Finance Minister under Jonathan’s administration, and Danjuma Yusuf, all pleaded not guilty to the charge. They are currently on bail.

The offences, according to the EFCC, are contrary to and punishable under sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

Akin Kuponiyi

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