Fani-Kayode sue Lai Mohammed over looter’s list

Former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode has instituted a contempt proceedings suit against the  Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammed, , for  including  his name in recently released ‘Looters List’.

Fani-Kayode who is standing trial over alleged money laundering alongside a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenandi Usman,  and others over charge bordering on N4.6 billion fraud and money laundering before the Federal High Court Lagos on a 17 county charge.

Others docked alongside the duo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) are one Yusuf Danjuma, a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and a limited liability company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.

At Monday’s proceedings, Fani-Kayode, through his lawyer, Mr. Ferdinand Orbih, informed Justice Rilwan Aikawa, that his application against Mohammed was brought pursuant to the provisions of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, as well as the  Court’s Civil Procedure Rules.

He said his application was seeking leave of the court, to serve the motion on notice, on the Minster of Information, over alleged acts of contempt.

Orbih (SAN) also told the court that the Minister had published a list of looters some weeks ago, and had named Fani-Kayode  as number 19 on that list.

According to Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, the defence views such act very seriously and also as an attempt to interfere with the proceedings before the court, and portrays his client as already guilty of the charges preferred against him.

He, therefore, urged the court to grant the ex-parte application enabling the defence to serve the said motion on notice on the Minister in Abuja, by substituted means, as personal service may not be feasible.

In a short ruling, Justice Aikawa held : “I have perused the application including the supporting affidavits and I am satisfied that the application ought to be granted.

“The application is granted, save that it should be served on his confidential Secretary in Abuja” he said.

Meanwhile , the court has adjourned further hearing in the charge preferred against the accused persons.til October 2.

The accused persons trial could not proceed, due to the absence of the EFCC witness in court.

The prosecutor, Mr. Idris Mohammed, had told the court that his witness, who is to be cross-examined was indisposed, due to ill-health.