The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Festus Keyamo

  • FG to Ohakim: Defend yourself in money laundry charges

    FG to Ohakim: Defend yourself in money laundry charges

    The Federal Government has asked the former Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim, to defend himself in his ongoing trial for money laundering at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ohakim on behalf of the federal government on a three-count charge of money laundering and false asset declaration.

    He was accused of purchasing a property at 60, Kwame Nkrumah Street, Plot No 1098, Cadastral ZoneA04,  Asokoro District, Abuja, with a cash payment of $2.29million (N270 million) in November 2008.

    Ohakim was also accused of failing to declare the property as part of his assets when asked by the EFCC to do so.

    The prosecution lawyer, Festus Keyamo, on Monday urged the court to reject the no-case submission made by Ohakim’s lawyer, Awa Kalu (SAN).

    Keyamo said the prosecution has shown sufficient evidence to establish its case against the defendant.

    Keyamo, who adopted his written submission in opposition to Ohakim’ no-case submission, said the defendant had in his statement to the EFCC admitted making payment for the property in dollars, but later said the payment was made in naira.

     

  • Court bars Keyamo’s lawyer from Akpobolokemi’s trial

    Court bars Keyamo’s lawyer from Akpobolokemi’s trial

    A Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere on Wednesday stopped a representative of Mr. Festus Keyamo from prosecuting a N754, 740,680.00 fraud suit filed against a former Director-General of Nigeria Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi and six others.

    Justice Raliat Adebiyi ruled that Marcel Umeh, a counsel in the chambers of Keyamo, did not have the fiat of the Attorney-General of the Federation through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute the defendants.

    The judge adjourned the case till April 3 for continuation of trial.

    Akpobolokemi is standing trial on a 13-count charge bordering on stealing and forgery.

    His co-defendants are Capt. Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

    The EFCC was billed to continue its trial of the defendants on Wednesday afternoon and it was expected that its regular counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, would appear in court.

    However, Oyedepo was not available when the matter was called and Umeh announced his appearance for the prosecution.

    “I’m ready to go on and I have my witnesses,” he stated.

    Umeh was then interrupted from calling his first witness by counsel to the second defendant, Mr. E. D. Onyeke, who observed that Umeh had no authority to prosecute the case on behalf of the government or Keyamo.

    Onyeke informed the court that he had earlier been notified by Oyedepo that he would not be available and that the case would not continue on Wednesday.

    He said: “Mr. Marcel Umeh works in Festus Keyamo’s Chambers and not the Ministry of Justice or the EFCC.

    “If Keyamo has a fiat from the Attorney-General to prosecute this matter and Oyedepo, an employee of the EFCC, also has the authority to prosecute, it does not apply to Mr. Marcel. Mr. Marcel is only Keyamo’s employee and not that of the EFCC.

    “Mr. Marcel is a private legal practitioner and he cannot prosecute this matter as a private legal practitioner.”

     

  • Court fails to give judgement in Fani-Kayode’s case

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Thursday failed to give judgment in the money laundering trial involving a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, due to the absence of the prosecution counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo.

    The judge chose not to deliver the verdict in Keyamo’s absence, although the lawyer was represented in court.

    Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), urged the judge to go on and deliver the judgment since it was ready.

    He said the law did not make it mandatory that a prosecuting counsel must be present before a judgment is delivered in a criminal case.

    The senior advocate said even if someone is holding a watching brief for the prosecuting counsel, the judgment could still be delivered.

    But Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia insisted that she was more comfortable reading the judgment in Keyamo’s presence.

    She stood the case down for 10 minutes to enable the lawyer from Keyamo’s chambers, Mr. Festus Afeiyodion, to confirm from his principal the day he would be available.

    About an hour later, Afeiyodion told the judge that Keyamo requested for a short stand-down‎ to enable him come, as he was handling another matter elsewhere.

    “Mr. Keyamo asked that the matter be stood down till 1.30pm. By then, he would be through and be here personally. In the alternative, he suggested that any other day could be chosen and he will be here,” Afeiyodion said.

    Adedipe, after briefly conferring with Fani-Kayode, said they would not mind waiting till 1.30pm.

    However, the judge said she would prefer not to deliver the judgment under pressure as the day would have been far gone by that time.

    Apparently to prove that the judgment was indeed ready, she displayed a typewritten material on her tablet, saying she prefers to read it out at a convenient time.

    Fani-Kayode was accused of making a transaction exceeding N500, 000 on September 20, 2006, which was not done through a financial institution.

    He was alleged to have accepted N2.1 million in cash, which was paid into his personal bank account by his aide, Supo Agbaje, while he served as Minister of Culture and Tourism.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said contravenes the Money Laundering Act.

     

  • Another four years of Jonathan means disaster for Nigeria, says Keyamo

    Another four years of Jonathan means disaster for Nigeria, says Keyamo

    Lagos lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has said another four years of President Goodluck Jonathan in office would be a great disaster for Nigeria.

    He urged Nigerians to vote out the president and enthrone Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

    Keyamo alleged that corruption has flourished under Jonathan’s watch to the extent that the malaise is affecting the fight against insurgency in the Northeast region with the service chiefs being the beneficiaries of the resources committed to crush Boko Haram.

    The human rights lawyer spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Saturday at a youth summit organised by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Action Group.

    Keyamo said the youths have key roles to play in ending what he called the 16 years of misrule by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that a revolution is imminent in the country if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, is removed from office before the end of his tenure.

    He deplored a situation in which the Armed Forces of Chad, which is less endowed than the Nigerian Army, is stealing the show in the fight against Boko Haram.

    Accusing the service chiefs of feeding fat on the fight against insurgency, Keyamo regretted that Boko Haram, which he described as a ragtag group, has grown in leaps and bounds with Jonathan failing to use his position as the Commander-in-Chief to crush the terrorists.

    Keyamo said, “I have an inside knowledge that service chiefs are feeding fat off the situation (Boko Haram) without the knowledge of the president or with his knowledge but he is bereft of what to do.

    “How did we get to this point? Under whose leadership has the military been so decimated? It is under the leadership of President Jonathan. Before Jonathan, there had been insurgency, but no part of the country was lost. It was Buhari who crushed the Maitatsine sect. If we give this president another four years, Nigeria will be worse for it.

    “This is the time to speak out; we must not be so comfortable in the South and forget what is happening in the north. The economy of the north has been destroyed under the leadership of this incompetent and clueless president. This government announced a ceasefire deal but Boko Haram responded by carrying more deadly attacks.

    “The same federal government that has announced the killing of Abubakar Shekau (Boko Haram leader) several times is now saying he must be caught alive. Who did they kill before? It is time to give other people chance to see if they could do things differently.”

  • Keyamo’s absence stalls Fani-Kayode’s trial for money laundering

    Keyamo’s absence stalls Fani-Kayode’s trial for money laundering

    THE trial of the Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, was stalled yesterday at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    It could not go on because the prosecution’s counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo, was absent.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Fani-Kayode for alleged money laundering.

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia had adjourned for the former aviation minister to open his defence.

    Fani-Kayode, accompanied by some aides, was in court and duly went into the dock when the case was called.

    However, Mr. Somadina Okore, who represented EFCC, drew the court’s attention to a letter by Keyamo, saying he would not be available.

    He said Keyamo had another case at the Federal High Court in Yola, and that he had asked that a new date be fixed so that he could prosecute the matter himself.

    Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN), said he was aware of the letter and that he had no objection to the request for an adjournment.

    He also reminded the court that the matter was adjourned till Tuesday (today), adding that if it was convenient for the court, his client would return to stand trial.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia had discharged and acquitted Fani-Kayode of 38 out of 40 counts of alleged money laundering.

    The judge, while ruling on the defendant’s no-case submission on November 17, last year, held that the commission did not prove the other counts sufficiently.

    She partially upheld Fani-Kayode’s no-case submission and directed him to open defence on two counts (25 and 26).

    Count 25 reads: “That you, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, on or before September 20, 2006, while serving as the Minister of Culture and Tourism, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this  court, made a transaction exceeding N500,000, which was not done through financial institution, by accepting cash payment of N1 million, which sum was further paid into your personal account number 103450252601 with First Inland Bank Plc, Apapa branch, now First City Monument Bank (FCMB), through Supo Agbaje, your administrative worker, now at large.”

    Count 26 reads: “That you, Chief  Femi Fani-Kayode, on or before September 20, 2006, while serving as the Minister of Culture and Tourism in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this court, made a transaction exceeding N500,000, which was not done through financial institution, by accepting cash payment of N1.1 million, which sum was further paid into your personal account number 103450252601 with First Inland Bank Plc Apapa branch, now FCMB, through Supo Agbaje, your administrative worker, now at large.”

    The alleged offences contravene the provisions of the Money Laundering (prohibition) Act, 2004. Fani-Kayode pleaded not guilty to them.

     

  • Money laundering: Keyamo’s absence stalls Fani-Kayode’s trial

    The trial of the Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, was stalled on Monday at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former minister of Aviation over an alleged money laundering.

    The trial, however, could not go on because the prosecution’ counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo, was absent in court.

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia had adjourned for the former minister to open his defence.

    Fani-Kayode, accompanied by some aides, was in court and duly went into the dock when the case was called.

    However, Mr. Somadina Okore, who represented EFCC, drew the court’s attention to a letter by Keyamo, saying he would not be available.

    He said Keyamo had another case at the Federal High Court in Yola, and that he had asked that a new date be fixed so that he could prosecute the matter himself.

    Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN), said he was aware of the letter and that he had no objection to the request for an adjournment.

    He also reminded the court that the matter was adjourned till Tuesday, adding that if it was convenient for the court, his client would return to stand trial.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia had discharged and acquitted Fani-Kayode of 38 out of 40 counts of alleged money laundering.

    The judge, while ruling on the defendant’s no-case submission on November 17, last year, held that the commission did not prove the other charges sufficiently.

    She partially upheld Fani-Kayode’s no-case submission and directed him to open defence in two charges (25 and 26).

    She discharged and acquitted him on the 38 other charges on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove “elements” of the allegations.

     

  • Money laundering: Prosecution closes case in Fani-Kayode’s trial

    Money laundering: Prosecution closes case in Fani-Kayode’s trial

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday closed its case in the trial of a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, for alleged money laundering.

    On June 24, prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo, said he had one more witness, Mark Ndifreke, who was said to have paid monies into Fani-Kayode’s account.

    He said Ndifereke had been evading the court summons to testify and prayed for a bench warrant to be issued again him.

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia had adjourned till Thursday and directed Keyamo to file a further affidavit within seven days on why Ndifreke should be arrested.

    But Mr. Vitalis Ahaotu informed the court of a letter from Keyamo, his principal, about the prosecution’s intention to close its case.

    Defence counsel, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN) did not raise any objection on the matter.

    He said Fani-Kayode intended to make a no-case submission rather than calling witness in his defence.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia directed the defence to file their submission within 21 days, while the prosecution must respond within seven days afterwards.

    Fani-Kayode is standing trial on an amended 40-count charge of money laundering.

     

  • Keyamo, 22 others invited for SAN interview

    Keyamo, 22 others invited for SAN interview

    Rights activist, Festus Keyamo, was yesterday named among 23 lawyers invited for interview for the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC).

    The names of the shortlisted lawyers is in a statement by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Sunday Olorundahunnsi.

    The statement said the interview will hold on July 8 and 9. But it was silent on the venue of the interview.

    Also shortlisted are:  Gerald- Godwin Ezeuko (Jnr), Samuel Zibiri, Dr. Joshua Olukayode Olatoke, Dr. Adewale Adedamola Olawoyin,  Olusola Olaseni Idowu, Chukwudi Obieze, Kevin Chukwudi Nwufo and Chief Wale Taiwo.

    They also include: Dr. Theophilus Akinpelu Onigbinde, Teslim Busari, Olatunde Oluranti Adejuyigbe, Richard Ayodele Akintunde, and Sylvanus Ogwemoh.

    Others are: Adewale Adesokan, Tawo Tawo, Andrew Igboekwe, Chike Onyemenam, Fredson Chijioke Okoli,  Dr. Amuda-Kannike Abiodun,  Oluwakemi Balogun, Ahamefula Ikechukwu Ejelam, and Hakeem Afolabi Olatunde.

    The LPPC urged the public to comment on the integrity, reputation and competence of the applicants on or before July 7.

    “This serves to notify the general public that the under listed applicants have been found worthy to attend the interview preparatory to the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, 2014.

    “The interview dates shall be on July 8 and 9. The public is at liberty to comment on the integrity, reputation and competence of any of the applicants. Such comments, if any, shall reach the undersigned on or before July 7,” the LPPC said.

     

  • Negotiation can’t be made public, says Keyamo

    Negotiation can’t be made public, says Keyamo

    Human rights activist-lawyer Festus Keyamo yesterday said it would be wrong for the Federal Government to make public its negotiation with Boko Haram.

    Although the lives of the girls are precious to the country, Keyamo advised that no government negotiates with terrorists.

    The lawyer spoke with our reporter in Abuja in a phone interview.

    He said: “Even if the Federal Government wants to do something like that, it is going to be secret. It is not really a matter of public consumption. There is no government in the world that openly negotiates with terrorists. I accept that the lives of the girls are so precious.

    “Government should just bring our girls back. I don’t know how they are going to do it.”

  • Prosecutor’s absence stalls Fani-Kayode’s trial

    Prosecutor’s absence stalls Fani-Kayode’s trial

    The absence of the prosecutor on Wednesday stalled the trial of a former minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, before a Federal High Court, Lagos,

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Fani-Kayode on an amended 40-count charge bordering on money laundering.

    When the case was mentioned on Wednesday, the matter could not go on due to the absence of the prosecutor, Mr. Festus Keyamo.

    Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), therefore, asked the court for an adjournment.

    The judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, expressed displeasure that the prosecutor was absent without writing a letter to the court that he would not be available.

    “This court is displeased that the prosecutor did not have the simple courtesy of writing to inform the court of his absence.

    “This is a case in which the accused attends court from outside jurisdiction, and so, it was wrong for the prosecution not to have intimated the court on his absence,” she said.

    Ofili-Ajumogobia adjourned the case till May 14 for continuation of trial and ordered hearing notices to be issued on the prosecution.