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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Monday re-arraigned former ministers of Aviation and Finance, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and Senator Nenadi Usman for alleged N4.6billion fraud.

They pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge of laundering.

The defendants were first arraigned last June 28 before Justice Muslim Hassan.

But, on March 16, he recused himself from the case after Fani-Kayode accused him of likely bias.

The judge transferred the case file to the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for re-assignment to another judge.

In asking the court to disqualify himself, Fani-Kayode said Justice Hassan, who worked as Head of Legal at the EFCC before his appointment as a judge, signed the money laundering charge for which Fani-Kayode was previously tried and acquitted by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumobia on July 1, 2015.

Following Justice Hassan’s withdrawal, to case was re-assigned to Justice Rilwan Aikawa, and the defendants took their pleas afresh yesterday.

Justice Aikawa asked the defendants to remain on the bail terms earlier granted them by Justice Hassan.

Usman’s lawyer, Abiodun Owonikoko, prayed the court to hear his client’s pending application seeking to transfer the case to Abuja for convenience.

He said Justice Hassan did not address the issue in his ruling disqualifying himself.

“He didn’t consider that application. He only recused himself,” Owonikoko said.

But EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said since issues were joined before Justice Hassan, the defendants should appeal or file fresh applications.

The former ministers were charged along with former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and ex-Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State Mr. Yusuf Danjuma and a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Nenadi Esther Usman, Femi Fani-Kayode, Danjuman Yusuf And Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Ltd on or about the 8th day of January, 2015, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to indirectly retain the sum of N1,500, 000,000.00 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

The four were also accused of indirectly retaining N300million, N400million and N800million, all proceeds of corruption, according to EFCC.

The prosecution said they allegedly committed the offence between January 8 and March 25, 2015 ahead of the general election.

In another count, the prosecution alleged that Fani-Kayode directly retained N350million which he ought to have “reasonably known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

The commission said Fani-Kayode directly used the sum of N170million, among other sums, which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of corruption and stealing.

He was also accused of doing cash transaction of N24million with Olubode Oke without going through a financial institution.

The offence, EFCC said, violates sections 1(a) and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b).

Justice Aikawa adjourned until June 7 for ruling and commencement of trial.

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BREAKING: DSS Confirms Godwin Emefiele’s Arrest [VIDEO]

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the arrest of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.

It was earlier reported the arrest of Emefiele by the DSS, shortly after he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu.

But on Saturday, the Service, on its Twitter handle said Emefiele was not in its custody.

Despite the denial by the DSS, report has it that the former CBN chief was in the custody of the secret police.

But confirming the report on Saturday evening, DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, posted: “The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is now in its custody for some investigative reasons.”

 

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UPDATE: Emefiele Not In Our Custody — DSS

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The Department of State Services (DSS) says suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, is not in its custody.

Following the announcement of Emefiele’s suspension, there were reports that he was arrested by operatives of the secret police.

Reacting in a terse statement posted on Twitter on Saturday morning, the DSS said the suspended CBN governor is “currently” not in detention.

“Currently, Emefiele is not with the DSS,” the tweet reads.

However, DSS did not elaborate on whether he was previously apprehended.

The office of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) announced Emefiele’s suspension on Friday.

Willie Bassey, director of information, SGF office, had said Emefiele was to transfer his responsibilities to the deputy governor, operations directorate.

Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, the deputy governor, is expected to act as the CBN governor pending the conclusion of an investigation of Emefiele’s office.

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Democracy Day: President Tinubu To Address Nigerians On Monday

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Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will on Monday, June 12 address the nation, in commemoration of Democracy Day, the Federal Government announced on Friday.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who disclosed this on Friday while addressing a world press conference in Abuja, also unveiled a two-item programme for this year’s Democracy Day.

According to Akume, this year’s celebration would be kept low-key, owing to the fact that the nation just came out of an elaborate Presidential Inauguration Programme.

“It is important to note that the Democracy Day has been reviewed to be celebrated annually from May, 29 to June 12 to honour the heroes who championed the struggle and made extra-ordinary sacrifice for the enthronement of the democratic rule in Nigeria from 1999 till date.

“However, May 29 remains the date or anniversary of handing over or taking over of power, and this happens every four (4) years according to the Nigerian Constitution.

“To commemorate this year’s anniversary, it is expedient for citizens and foreigners alike to take stock of how the nation has fared so far and assess the dividends that Democracy has ensued as well as areas where we need to make improvements. It is in light of this that the theme of this year’s Democracy celebration is ‘Hope Reassured’.

“It is pertinent to state that having had an elaborate Presidential inauguration this year, activities to mark the 2023 June 12, Democracy Day will be low key with the following two major activities:

“Presidential Broadcast,Monday, 12th June, 2023,7:00am.

“The events will be broadcast live on all major stations and streamed on various social media platforms,” Akume stated.

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