Fani-Kayode’s Trial Adjourned To July

Fani-Kayode in court today

The trial of Femi Fani-Kayode was today adjourned to 1^st July, 2015 by the trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili  Ajumogobia of the federal High Court sitting in Lagos State,.

Justice Ajumogobia said the reason for the adjournment was due to the absence of Mr. Festus Keyamo who is the lead prosecution council. She said “"It is proper for the entire parties to be around for the judgment, I feel this is the right thing to do... it is better to have everyone present for the judgment”

Mr. Keyamo was represented in the court by Festus AFiyen. Mr. Afiyen requested that the court proceed judgment in the absence of his principal. He said:“My lord, I regret to inform the court that Festus Keyamo who is the lead counsel in this matter, would not be able to make it, due to his handling of another important case where he is the principal witness. We regret this development, my lord”.

But the defence council, Mr.  I.A Adedipe requested that the matter be stood down till Mr. Keyamo arrives. He said: “My lord, I spoke with my learned colleague, Keyamo, just now and he told me that if the court can stand the matter down till 1p.m today, he would be around. My lord, we pray that the matter will be stood down, so that the judgment can be heard as scheduled

It can be recalled that Fani- Kayode is facing trial on a two- count charge bordering on money laundering. His trial began in 2008 before Justice Ramat Mohammed of the same court. He was accused by the EFCC of laundering about N100 million while he was the Minister of Culture and Tourism and later, the Minister of Aviation.  On November 17, 2014, the succeeding judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia dismissed 38 of the 40 counts leveled against him. 

The judgment will be delivered on July 1, 2015.