Two former ministers were yesterday remanded in prison after being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for laundering N4.6billion. Justice Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and one-time Finance Minister Mrs Nenadi Usman, remanded in prison until Friday when their bail applications will be heard.
They pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge read to them. They were charged along with a 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 said to belong to him, Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Limited. EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said the 17-count charge was dated June 13. He prayed that it be read to the accused.
Usman’s lawyer, Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), pleaded with the judge to let the former finance minister sit while the charge was read because she was ill. The judge agreed and she sat in the dock. Moments later, Fani-Kayode’s lawyer Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), also asked that a chair be provided for his client.
