TheCable

A federal high court in Abuja has declined an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the arrest of Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation.

The former minister was arraigned in 2016 on a five-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N26 million.

According to the EFCC, Fani-Kayode allegedly received the sum of N26 million from the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) in 2014.

On October 21, the case was stalled due to the defendant’s absence.

Wale Balogun, Fani-Kayode’s counsel, had blamed the absence of his client on the curfew imposed on Lagos state, occasioned by the #EndSARS protests.

The court then scheduled December 2 for continuation of trial.

Absent again at the resumed trial on Wednesday, Mohammed Abubakar, EFCC counsel, urged the court to revoke the defendant’s bail and issue a warrant of arrest against him.

Opposing the prosecution’s application, Balogun tendered a medical report dated November 24, 2020, which recommended bed rest for the former minister.

Ruling on the application, John Tsoho, the presiding judge, rejected the application for the issuance of an arrest warrant against the former minister.

The judge said the medical report presented in court justifies the defendant’s absence.

The case has been adjourned till February 23 and 24, 2021.