Court docket orders launch of paperwork in corruption trial of Usman, Fani-Kayode, others

A Federal Excessive Court docket on Tuesday ordered the discharge of processes and paperwork within the cash laundering trial of a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenandi Usman and others to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, made an utility earlier than Justice Daniel Osiagor, to launch all documentary proof or processes within the swimsuit, following the choice of an appellate courtroom.

Ms Usman is charged alongside a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and Yusuf Danjuma, a former chairman of the Affiliation of Native Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

Additionally charged is an organization, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Ltd.

EFCC had most popular a 17-count cost bordering on N4.6 billion cash laundering towards them earlier than a former decide, Mohammed Aikawa.

The defendants had every pleaded not responsible to the fees and have been granted bail.

The trial had begun earlier than Justice Aikawa and witnesses have been nonetheless being led in proof, till Mr Aikawa was transferred out of the Lagos division.

The cost was consequently, re-assigned to a brand new decide, Daniel Osaigor, and so they have been consequently, re-arraigned on 24 January 2022.

Once more, the trial had since commenced within the case and witnesses have been nonetheless giving proof earlier than the courtroom.

Nevertheless, following an attraction filed by Ms Usman, in search of a switch of the case on jurisdictional grounds, the courtroom of attraction dominated in favour of the defendant.

When the case was referred to as on Tuesday, Mr Oyedepo introduced an look for the prosecution, and knowledgeable the courtroom of the appellate courtroom’s determination, directing that the case be transferred to the Abuja division of the courtroom.

He, additionally knowledgeable the courtroom that it’s nonetheless the case of the prosecution including that the prosecution continues to be main proof as PW 1 was nonetheless testifying.

He, consequently, sought an utility for the discharge of all documentary proof and reveals within the case to the prosecution, in order to save lots of time and keep away from delay

In a brief ruling, Justice Osiagor held that in step with the choice of the appellate courtroom, all documentary proof in addition to reveals tendered, be launched to the prosecution.

Within the cost, the defendants have been alleged to have dedicated the offences between January and March 2015 in Lagos.

They have been alleged to have at numerous occasions, unlawfully retained over N4.6 billion which they fairly must have identified fashioned a part of the proceeds of illegal acts of stealing and corruption.

In the meantime, in counts 15 to 17, Mr Fani-Kayode and one Olubode Oke, who is alleged to be at massive, have been alleged to have made money funds of about N30 million, in extra of the quantity allowed by regulation, with out going by a monetary establishment.

READ ALSO: Why SSS invited Fani-Kayode  Spokesperson

The stated funds are alleged to have been made to 1 Paste Poster Co (PPC) of No 125 Lewis St., Lagos, in extra of quantities allowed by regulation.

All offences have been stated to have contravened the provisions of sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the Cash Laundering (Prohibition) (Modification) Act, 2012.

(NAN)