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Fani-Kayode begs to settle N26m alleged fraud out of court

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N4.9BN ALLEGED FRAUD: Fani-Kayode, Usman arraigned before another judge

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Monday prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja to permit him to settle his alleged N26million fraud case out of court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) is prosecuting the one time Director of Media and Publicity in the campaign team of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2015 election, for illegally receiving N26million from the office of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd, prior the election to organise media campaigns for the former president.

But Fani-Kayode, told the court presided over by John Tsoho on Monday through his counsel, Mr Ahmed Raji, SAN, that he should adjourn the case to allow him opportunity to effect out of court settlement with the EFCC.

He said he was ready to make restitution of his alleged offence in order to save the Federal Government and himself the troubles of trial.

The defendant’s counsel also said he was new on the matter and requires more period of time to fully review the case-file so as to be able to properly defend his client.

He said, “My lord, looking at the facts of the case and the money involved, I believe that there are other options we can explore. The case involves the sum of N26 million and the law allows you to explore the option of a plea bargain and so many other options rather than to go through trial.”

Raji further informed the trial judge that the anti-graft agency is amenable to the plea bargain.

Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Johnson Ojogbane, did not object to the prayer, but however observed that the matter has been adjourned twice at the instance of the defendant.

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Trial justice Tsoho adjourned the matter till March 24, after listening to both counsels.

EFCC maintained the he committed an offence contrary to section 17(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act.

EFCC is prosecuting Fani-Kayode on a five-count charge, which it said were contrary to section 17(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act.
Recall that Fani-Kayode has another pending N4.9billion fraud charge preferred against him by the EFCC before the Lagos Federal High Court along with a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman; Danjuma Yusuf and a firm, Joint Trust Dimension Nig. Ltd.

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