Tag: Fani-Kayode

The arraignment of former ministers of Aviation and Finance Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and Senator Nenadi Usman has been fixed for Tuesday before Justice Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

A prosecution counsel at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the date yesterday.

The commission charged them along with Danjuman Yusuf and a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.

Ahead of his arraignment, Fani-Kayode has filed a bail application through his lawyer Ahmed Raji (SAN).

In an affidavit in support of the motion for bail, Fani-Kayode’s wife Precious said her husband told EFCC all he knew about the funding of PDP’s campaign, and that, as the Director of Publicity, no money was paid into his account.

She said: “All the monies paid into his account were from private entities and they were judiciously used to prosecute the PDP 2015 Presidential Campaign.

“ He was granted administrative bail with onerous conditions. The said bail conditions were met on Thursday, the 12th day of May, 2016, yet the complainant/respondent (EFCC) has refused to release the defendant/applicant till date.”

Mrs Fani-Kayode said the commission’s operatives interrogated him three times about the campaign money, adding that no new issue and or petition was raised or written against him.

“I was there during one of the interrogation sessions, and what the operatives were asking the defendant/applicant was to refund the campaign funds and nothing more.

“The instant charges against him were merely brought to justify his unconstitutional detention by the complainant/respondent,” Mrs Fani-Kayode said.

According to her, EFCC was only keeping him so as “to ask him to refund the campaign funds expended for the PDP Presidential Campaign 2015, in respect of which he was the Director of Publicity”.

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 N4.6billion fraud charge filed against former ministers of Aviation and Finance, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and Senator Nenadi Usman has been assigned to Justice Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos for trial, it was learnt yesterday.

Among those to are representatives of Zenith Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, First Bank Plc and Wema Bank Plc.

A source said the accused persons may be tomorrow.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them along with Danjuman Yusuf and a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.

Count one 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 alleged offence is contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4).

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

The 17-count charge borders on conspiracy, unlawful retention of proceeds of theft and corruption and money laundering.

EFCC said they allegedly committed the offence between last January 8 and last March 25, 2015 ahead of last year’s 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, said to still be at large, 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).

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday relocated a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, to Lagos for further interrogation on the N2.5billion illegally withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and paid into the accounts of six chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Goodluck Support Group (GSG).

Fani-Kayode was allocated about N840million from the funds which were used for the 2015 presidential campaign.

According to our correspondent’s investigation, the ex-minister was moved to Lagos last night because of some fresh clues which a team of EFCC operatives will still interrogate him on.

A top source said: “The ex-minister has been taken to Lagos for further grilling based on some fresh issues which have been isolated for him to respond to.

“If you can recall, some of the suspects implicated in the N2.5billion scandal were quizzed in Abuja and Enugu before being transferred to Lagos.

“Definitely, we need to clarify certain facts from the ex-minister in Lagos. He might still be detained for a few days. Do not forget that the EFCC has secured a remand warrant to keep Fani-Kayode in custody.”

Sections 293(1) and 296(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 allow the EFCC to detain the ex-minister.

The section says “a suspect arrested for an offence which a Magistrate’s Court has no jurisdiction to try shall within a reasonable time of arrest be brought before a Magistrate Court for remand.”

Section 296(1) of the ACJ Act says “where an order of remand of the suspect is made pursuant to Section 293 of this Act, the order shall be for a period of not exceeding 14 days in the first instance and case shall be returnable within the same period.”

The controversial N2.5billion largesse was shared as follows: Fani-Kayode (N840million); Goodluck Support Group (N320million); Achike Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri (N350million); Nenadi Usman (N140million); Olu Falae (N100m) and Okey Ezenwa (N100million)

Out of the six people implicated in the scandal, three former public office holders have been questioned by the EFCC, including Nenadi, Udenwa and Fani-Kayode.

Findings by the EFCC indicated that Fani-Kayode’s share of N840million was paid in three tranches into his account.

A top source said: “The first tranche of payment, involving N350million, hit the account on February 19, 2015. Another N250milion was also paid into the account on February19, 2015, while N240million was similarly credited to the account a month later, precisely March 19, 2015.

“The balance on this account as at 31st December, 2015 was N189, 402.72.

“Next in the pecking order of beneficiaries of the heist was the Goodluck Support Group which allegedly received N320million.

“Similarly, Falae allegedly received N100m through Marreco Limited, a company where he is Chairman. The funds were credited into the company’s United Bank for Africa Plc account No. 1000627022 on March 25, 2014.

“Both Achike Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri got N350million in two tranches. The first tranche of N150million was paid into their joint account with Zenith Bank on January 13, 2015. The second tranche of N200miilion was credited into their account with Diamond Bank.

“Coming at the rear was Okey Ezenwa who also pocketed N100million.”

An aide of the embattled former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has alleged that his principal was still being detained by the EFCC after meeting bail conditions.

The Special Assistant to the ex-minister, Jude Ndukwe, raised the concern in a statement in Abuja.

The statement said: “The dictatorial, vengeful, vindictive and scurrilous use of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the APC-led federal government to achieve sinister purposes against vocal individuals and members of the opposition has once again played itself out in the macabre continued detention of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, five days after fulfilling all his bail conditions.

“We are appalled by this risible development, but not surprised at all by it because that has been the hallmark of this current administration.

“Rather than work to improve on its reprehensible anti-democratic record, the Buhari-led administration has insisted on continuing in its self-engineered free nose-dive into the abyss of autocracy and the infamy of gross abuse of citizens’ rights.

“This tactic of keeping key and vocal members of the opposition out of circulation without due regard to our laws and or harass them with charges that cannot stand the test of judicial requirements has got to stop.

“The sweet smelling savour of democracy will be polluted when the opposition is stifled.

“The continued holding of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode in the EFCC custody for this long despite meeting his bail conditions goes a long way to show that this fight is not about corruption after all, but all about silencing the opposition.

“We condemn in very strong terms these acts of intimidation and harassment and request that he be released forthwith even as we call on all well-meaning Nigerians to know who to hold responsible should anything untoward happen to Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

“This act of executive rascality, at a time when Nigerians are groaning more than ever before over the economic hardship inflicted on them by this administration, is needless. It will achieve nothing but will only lead to a puerile end”.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives yesterday searched former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode’s Abuja home.

The ex-Minister is in custody in connection with the N2.5billion illegally withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and paid into the accounts of six chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Goodluck Support Group (GSG).

Fani-Kayode allegedly got about N840million from the funds which were pumped into the 2015 presidential campaign.

The search was said to have followed intelligence reports on some of the issues emerging from the grilling of the ex-minister.

Although there was no official statement from the EFCC, a source said: “Such a search is routine in the course of conducting this type of investigation.”

A statement by Jude Ndukwe, the Special Assistant on Media to the ex-Minister, said the search was conducted without any warrant.

The statement said: “Earlier today, the EFCC invaded the residence of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode even when he was still in their custody.

“What miffed us most was their mode of operation which was forceful, provocative and dangerous as they wielded their guns with needless threats.

 ”The worst is that the invasion was without a warrant as they forced their way in, and after terrifying all the staff at home, including the infant, they whisked the laundry man away even though he was later released.

“This is the fourth time the EFCC operatives would be invading Chief Fani-Kayode’s residence in just under a week.

“We condemn this act of executive lawlessness, harassment and intimidation. Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has served this country even at the highest levels and he deserves some courtesy.

“We call on the EFCC to endeavour to carry out their functions within the ambit of our laws and stop brazenly betraying the fact that Chief Fani-Kayode is under persecution. The world is watching!”

The EFCC last night denied insinuations that its chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, acted in contempt of a court order over a fundamental human rights matter by an Austrian businessman, Wolfgang Reini.

A statement by the Head of Media of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the anti-graft agency had filed an appeal against the order in question.

The statement said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been drawn to media reports on May 12, 2016 accusing its chairman, Ibrahim Magu, of refusing to obey an order of court in the fundamental right enforcement action brought against the Commission by an Austrian businessman, Wolfgang Reinl, who is being investigated for his role in the now infamous $2.1 billion arms deal scandal.

“Contrary to the insinuations in the media, there is no disobedience to any court order by the EFCC and its chairman as the commission had since May 9, 2016 filed a notice of appeal at the appellate court challenging the April 20, 2016 ruling by Justice Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

“The appeal thus nullifies any claim of contempt.

“It is trite law that judgement cannot be enforced in the face of an appeal.

In the Nigerian legal system, an appellant has 90 days to appeal a judgement it deems inappropriate and wrong. That window is still open to the EFCC.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday secured a remand warrant to detain a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, in connection with the N2.5billion illegally withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and paid into the accounts of six chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Goodluck Support Group (GSG).

Fani-Kayode allegedly got about N840million from the funds which were pumped into former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 election campaign.

Also, for the second day running, the ex-minister was grilled by operatives.

With the warrant, Fani-Kayode can be remanded for two weeks, which can be renewed if the EFCC has a stronger reason to further keep him in detention.

According to a source, the anti-graft agency obtained the remand warrant from a Magistrate’s Court.

The source said: “The EFCC has secured a remand warrant from a Magistrate’s Court to keep Fani-Kayode in custody while investigation continues in line with Section 293(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.”

The section says “a suspect arrested for an offence which a magistrate’s court has no jurisdiction to try shall within a reasonable time of arrest be brought before a magistrate’s court for remand.”

Section 296(1) of the ACJ Act says: “Where an order of remand of the suspect is made pursuant to Section 293 of this Act, the order shall be for a period of not exceeding 14 days in the first instance and case shall be returnable within the same period.”

The source said “the depth of the ongoing quizzing of Fani-Kayode accounted for the application to the court to detain the ex-minister for a while.”

“So far, we are detaining him within the time limit allowable by the nation’s law,” he added, requesting not to be named.

The N2.5billion was shared as follows: Fani-Kayode (N840million); Goodluck Support Group (N320million); Achike Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri (N350million); Nenadi Usman (N140million); Olu Falae (N100m) and Okey Ezenwa (N100million)

Of the six people implicated in the scandal, three former public office holders have been questioned by the EFCC. They are former Minister of State (Finance), Mrs Usman, former Imo State Governor Udenwa and Fani-Kayode.

Fani-Kayode’s share of N840million was paid in three tranches into his account.

A source said: “The first tranche of payment involving N350million hit the account on February 19, 2015. Another N250milion was also paid into the account on February19, 2015 while N240million was credited to the account a month later; precisely, March 19, 2015.

“The balance on this account as at 31st December, 2015 was N189, 402.72.

“The Goodluck Support Group allegedly received N320million

“Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae allegedly received N100m through Marreco Limited, a company in which he is chairman. The fund was credited into the company’s United Bank for Africa Plc account No. 1000627022 on March 25, 2014.

“Both Achike Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri got N350million in two tranches. The first tranche of N150million was paid into their joint account with Zenith Bank on January 13, 2015. The second tranche of N200miilion was credited into their account with Diamond Bank.

“Okey Ezenwa allegedly got N100million.”

Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode yesterday appeared before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for preliminary grilling on the N2.5billion illegally withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and paid into the accounts of six chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Goodluck Support Group (GSG).

Fani-Kayode got about N840million from the slush funds allegedly used for the 2015 presidential campaign.

He denied any wrongdoing, saying the cash went into the campaign and he accounted for it all.

There were indications last night that he might be subsequently transferred to the Lagos office of the anti-graft agency.

Spotting a blue dress, the ex-Minister of Aviation arrived at the EFCC office at about 9.30am in company of some aides. He was taken into custody for quizzing at the Operation Unit in the Tunde Idiagbon wing of the commission.

All smiles, Fani-Kayode strolled in confidently and interacted freely before being ushered in.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said Fani-Kayode gave information on his antecedents and how he came about the N840million.

“After the preliminary interaction with the suspect, he was given an administrative bail. But he is yet to fulfill the required conditions,” said the source.

Responding to a question, the source added: “I think Fani-Kayode might be transferred subsequently to Lagos to join his colleagues who have been interrogated by our team.

“He was granted an administrative bail but he has not been able to meet the conditions. We are hopeful that he will get the required sureties.”

The N2.5billion was shared as follows: Fani-Kayode (N840million); Goodluck Support Group (N320million); Achike Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri (N350million); Nenadi Usman (N140million); Olu Falae (N100m) and Okey Ezenwa (N100million)

Of the six people implicated in the scandal, three former public office holders have been questioned. They are Mrs Usman, a former Minister of State (Finance), Udenwa, a former governor, and Fani-Kayode.

EFCC detectives allegedly found that the N840million was paid in three tranches into Fani-Kayode’s account.

A source said: “The first tranche of payment involving N350million hit the account on February 19, 2015. Another N250milion was also paid into the account on February19, 2015 while N240million was similarly credited to the account a month later; precisely, March 19, 2015.

“The balance on this account as at 31st December, 2015 was N189, 402.72.

“The Goodluck Support Group allegedly received N320million

“Similarly, Chief Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, allegedly received N100m through Marreco Limited, a company where he is Chairman. The fund was credited into the company’s United Bank for Africa Plc account No. 1000627022 on March 25, 2014.

“Both Achike Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri got N350million in two tranches. The first tranche of N150million was paid into their joint account with Zenith Bank on January 13, 2015. The second tranche of N200miilion was credited into their account with Diamond Bank.

“Okey Ezenwa got N100million.”

Fani-Kayode’s account remains frozen by the EFCC.

A team of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives yesterday stormed the Abuja residence of former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode.

It was ostensibly a move to arrest him in connection with the N2.5 billion allegedly withdrawn illegally from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and paid into the accounts of six chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Goodluck Support Group (GSG).

The operatives arrived the gate of the building a few hours after the anti-graft agency formally served him a summons to present himself for interrogation on Monday.

Fani-Kayode is suspected to have received N840 million of the slush funds allegedly disbursed for the 2015 Presidential campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Former Finance Minister Nenadi Usman and ex-Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa, both of whom also got from the funds, have already had their own sessions with EFCC interrogators.

Nenadi is believed to be the operator of an account named Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited, where a substantial part of the funds was lodged and disbursed to party chieftains.

The largesse, according to EFCC, was shared as follows: Fani-Kayode (N840 million); Goodluck Support Group (N320 million); Achike Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri (N350 million); Nenadi Usman (N140 million); Olu Falae (N100 million) and Okey Ezenwa (N100 million).

The EFCC action followed an intelligence report, a source told The Nation.

He gave no details but merely said:”We have been looking for him and now that we have located him, we mobilised our men to effect his arrest.

“It has become necessary to arrest Fani-Kayode before his interrogation begins on Monday. Some of those involved in the N2.5 billion scandal are already with us.”

On sighting the EFCC team, the former minister took to the social media to alert his Facebook friends about the development.

He said:”Today (yesterday), the EFCC invited me to come to their office on Monday. I have their letter. I agreed to be there. Now they have surrounded my house.

“The letter of invitation was served this morning and it was dated May 6. They said I should report on the 9th. Can someone please tell me why they are at my gate? They can’t even wait because they want to detain me so badly and keep me away for the weekend.

“I never refused their invitation. Why all this? I leave them to God.”

The operatives however took their leave as journalists began to gather to record the development.

In inviting Fani-Kayode for questioning on Monday via a May 6,2016 letter, the Acting Head, CTGI / Pension Fraud Section, Mohammed Umar Abba, said: “This Commission is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, fraud and money laundering involving Joint Trust Dimension Ltd, in which you featured prominently.

“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly report for an interview with the undersigned, scheduled as follows: Monday 9th May, at Block B, Idiagbon House, 5 Fomella Street off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 11 Abuja by 10 am.

“This request is made pursuant to Section 38(i) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and Section 21 of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.”

Preliminary findings by EFCC indicated that the said N840 million was paid in three tranches into the former minister’s account.

A source familiar with the investigation said: “The first tranche of payment involving N350 million hit the account on February 19, 2015. Another N250 milion was also paid into the account on February19, 2015 while N240 million was similarly credited to the account a month later; precisely, March 19, 2015.

“The balance in this account as at 31st December, 2015 was N189, 402.72.

“Next in the pecking order of beneficiaries of the heist was Goodluck Support Group which received N320 million.

Chief Falae allegedly received N100 million through Marreco Limited, a company of which he is Chairman. The fund was credited into the company’s United Bank for Africa Plc account No. 1000627022 on March 25, 2014.

Achike Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri got N350 million in two tranches.

The first tranche of N150 million was paid into their joint account with Zenith Bank on January 13, 2015 and the second tranche of N200 miilion was credited into their account with Diamond Bank.

Fani-Kayode’s account remained frozen at press time and will be so until investigation is concluded.

The former minister said yesterday before his arrest that he was ready to honour the EFCC invitation.

His media aide, Jude Ndukwe, issued a statement in Abuja saying: “The EFCC wrote a letter of invitation to my principal, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, this morning, asking that he reports to their Abuja office on the morning of May 9th for a discussion.

“The letter was dated 6th May 2016 and it was signed by one Mr. Mohammed Umar Abba on behalf of the Acting Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

“This is the first and only letter of invitation that Chief Fani-Kayode has received from the EFCC and it puts a lie to the shameful allegation that was being peddled around by The Nation newspaper that he had been served with an earlier invitation which he had shunned and that he was running and hiding from the Commission.

“The letter of invitation was delivered to his Abuja home and he has responded promptly through his lawyers by assuring the EFCC that he would make himself available on Monday morning to assist in their investigations”.

Soon after the departure of the EFCC team, the former minister confirmed on Facebook that “After 8 hours, the massive siege on my home has been lifted. The EFCC has left my gates and I look forward to my date with them at their office on Monday.”