Lukman Olabiyi
A former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, who is standing trial over alleged money laundering, has instituted a contempt proceedings suit against the Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammed, , for including his name in recently released ‘Looters List’.
Fani-Kayode is standing trial alongside a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenandi Usman, and others over charge bordering on N4.6 billion fraud and money laundering before the Federal High Court Lagos on a 17 county charge.
Others docked alongside the duo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) are one Yusuf Danjuma, a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and a limited liability company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.
At Monday’s proceedings, Fani-Kayode, through his lawyer, Mr. Ferdinand Orbih, informed Justice Rilwan Aikawa, that his application against Mohammed was brought pursuant to the provisions of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, as well as the Court’s Civil Procedure Rules.
He said his application was seeking leave of the court, to serve the motion on notice, on the Minster of Information, over alleged acts of contempt.
Orbih (SAN) also told the court that the Minister had published a list of looters some weeks ago, and had named Fani-Kayode as number 19 on that list.
According to Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, the defence views such act very seriously and also as an attempt to interfere with the proceedings before the court, and portrays his client as already guilty of the charges preferred against him.
He, therefore, urged the court to grant the ex-parte application enabling the defence to serve the said motion on notice on the Minister in Abuja, by substituted means, as personal service may not be feasible.
In a short ruling, Justice Aikawa held : “I have perused the application including the supporting affidavits and I am satisfied that the application ought to be granted.
“The application is granted, save that it should be served on his confidential Secretary in Abuja” he said.
Meanwhile , the court has adjourned further hearing in the charge preferred against the accused persons.til October 2.
The accused persons trial could not proceed, due to the absence of the EFCC witness in court.
The prosecutor, Mr. Idris Mohammed, had told the court that his witness, who is to be cross-examined was indisposed, due to ill-health.
He said, “Our witness who also resides outside the court’s jurisdiction, was pregnant and following medical advice, is currently on bed rest.
“On that premise, I urged the court to grant an adjournment.”
Lawyers to the accused persons, which comprises of: Mr. Ferdinard Orbih (SAN), Wale Balogun, and K. C Nwofo, did not oppose the application for adjournment.
Following prosecutor’s request and no opposition by the defence counsel, Justice Aikawa, adjourned until October 2, for hearing of the motion on notice, and for continuation of trial.