The trial of two chieftains of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Femi Fani-kayode and Nenadi Esther Usman, and one other person, over alleged N4.9 billion fraud, before a Lagos Federal High Court, has been adjourned till Friday, November 21.
Other person facing trial alongside the PDP chieftains is Danjuma Yusuf.
The adjournment was sequel to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Muslim Sule, who is said to be attending a workshop outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Fani-Kayode, Usman and Dajuma are being tried before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on a 17-count charge bordering on unlawful retention, unlawful use and unlawful payment of money in 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 have commited the offences between January and March 2015.
Fani-Kayode, who was also a Director of Media and Publicity in the campaign committee of ex President Goodluck Jonathan, and Nenandi Usman, former Finance Minister under Jonathan’s administation, and Danjuma Yusuf, had all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
And they had been accordingly admitted to bail by Justice Muslim Sule.
In the charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015.
In counts one to seven, they were alleged to have unlawfully retained over N3.8 billion which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act of stealing and corruption.
In counts Eight to 14 of the charge, the accused persons were alleged to have unlawfully used over N970 million which they reasonbly ought to have known formed part of an unlawful act of corruption.
The anti-graft agency also alleged in 15 to17 of the charge that Fani-Kayode, together with one Olubode Oke who is said to now be at large, made cash payments of about N30 million, in excess of the amount allowed by law, without going through a financial institution.
Besides, Fani-Kayode was alleged to have made payments to one Paste Poster Co (PPC) of 125, Lewis Street, Lagos, in excess of amounts allowed by law.
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.
