The courtroom at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court was spoiled at a restraint of laughter on Wednesday when Norris Quakers, the lawyer of the former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, told the judge that his client's complaints had Cardiac involvement should be taken seriously due to recent cases of heart-related death.
“It is not a laughing matter,” Mr. Quakers, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said, as his colleagues and their clients struggled to hush their laugh.
“They said he was complaining of a heart-related pain. We have seen recent cases of heart-related deaths. On Friday, a lawyer collapsed and died while addressing the court.”
Mr. Fani-Kayode, who is out of court, and Nenadi Usman, a former state finance minister, faces a 17-figure laundering money worth N4.6 billion. Also joined as a defendant is Yusuf Danjuma, former National Chairman of Nigeria's Association of Local Government (ALGON) and Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Limited. They were re-attacked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in May, last year, after the earlier judge, Muslim Hassan, retired from his trial on basis that he was the EFCC official who signed a criminal charge filed against him. The 17 numbers that favor against them limit the conspiracy, unlawful retention of robbery proceeds and money laundering. Mr. Fani-Kayode, who became the Publicity Director of the former redesigned campaign by former President Jonathan, was accused by the EFCC of receiving funds that ought to have reasonably known crime rates. The court talks on Wednesday, Mr. Quakers, said that it is unusual for Mr. Fani-Kayode failed to attend her trial.
“The second defendant is unusually absent in court today as a result of a health challenge which information was relayed to me by the wife,” he said.
“In that regard, I have requested for a medical report and hoping that same will get to me before the close of work because the second defendant lives and carries out his business outside the jurisdiction of this court, in Abuja.
“My humble application is for us to come back tomorrow so I can furnish the court with the medical report.”
Mr. Quakers then made an application that the trial, which had been initially billed to hold on Wednesday and Thursday, be moved further so they could have “three clear dates for continuation of trial.”
Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, did not oppose the application.
But he reminded the court of the provisions of Section 396(d) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which stipulates that both the prosecution and defence are entitled to not more than five adjournments each during a trial.
“They have taken two now,” Mr. Oyedepo added.
Mr. Quakers, however, argued that he had used only one adjournment.
Rilwan Aikawa, the judge, adjourned till February 28th, March 1st, and 2nd for the continuation of trial.
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“It is not a laughing matter,” Mr. Quakers, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said, as his colleagues and their clients struggled to hush their laugh.
“They said he was complaining of a heart-related pain. We have seen recent cases of heart-related deaths. On Friday, a lawyer collapsed and died while addressing the court.”
Mr. Fani-Kayode, who is out of court, and Nenadi Usman, a former state finance minister, faces a 17-figure laundering money worth N4.6 billion. Also joined as a defendant is Yusuf Danjuma, former National Chairman of Nigeria's Association of Local Government (ALGON) and Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Limited. They were re-attacked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in May, last year, after the earlier judge, Muslim Hassan, retired from his trial on basis that he was the EFCC official who signed a criminal charge filed against him. The 17 numbers that favor against them limit the conspiracy, unlawful retention of robbery proceeds and money laundering. Mr. Fani-Kayode, who became the Publicity Director of the former redesigned campaign by former President Jonathan, was accused by the EFCC of receiving funds that ought to have reasonably known crime rates. The court talks on Wednesday, Mr. Quakers, said that it is unusual for Mr. Fani-Kayode failed to attend her trial.
“The second defendant is unusually absent in court today as a result of a health challenge which information was relayed to me by the wife,” he said.
“In that regard, I have requested for a medical report and hoping that same will get to me before the close of work because the second defendant lives and carries out his business outside the jurisdiction of this court, in Abuja.
“My humble application is for us to come back tomorrow so I can furnish the court with the medical report.”
Mr. Quakers then made an application that the trial, which had been initially billed to hold on Wednesday and Thursday, be moved further so they could have “three clear dates for continuation of trial.”
Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, did not oppose the application.
But he reminded the court of the provisions of Section 396(d) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which stipulates that both the prosecution and defence are entitled to not more than five adjournments each during a trial.
“They have taken two now,” Mr. Oyedepo added.
Mr. Quakers, however, argued that he had used only one adjournment.
Rilwan Aikawa, the judge, adjourned till February 28th, March 1st, and 2nd for the continuation of trial.
Culled
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