The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s on Wednesday failed to have bail granted to a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, revoked.
The commission had in an application on Wednesday asked a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice John Tsoho to revoke the bail granted to Fani-Kayode for the former minister’s failure to appear in court on several occasions to face trial.
EFCC’s Lawyer, Mohammed Abubakar, who prayed Justice John Tsoho to grant his plea, said that Fani-Kayode had continued to be absent in court for his trial lately.
Abubakar, who enjoined the court to issue a bench warrant on the defendant, also urged the court to summon his surety to show cause why the bail bond should not be forfeited.
A report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shows that the ex-minister had, on Nov. 10, 2016, admitted to N50 million bail bond with a surety in the like sum.
EFCC alleges Fani-Kayode diverted ₦26 million he had received from the embattled National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. However, the defence counsel, Mr Wale Balogun while responding, urged the court to dismiss the EFCC’s oral application
Fani-Kayode is being prosecuted by the EFCC for diverting N26 million allegedly received from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Abubakar said Fani-Kayode being absent in court on Wednesday and in two other previous occasions amounted to jumping of bail.
He, therefore, prayed the court to revoke the bail and issue a bench warrant against the former minister.
But the defence counsel, Wale Balogun, told the court that Fani-Kayode had been indisposed, adding that he showed Abubakar
‘the medical report from the Kubwa General Hospital that the defendant should be on bed rest.’
In his ruling, Justice Tsoho said that the medical report brought by the defence counsel was enough reason to reject the application by the EFCC.
He then adjourned the matter until February 23 and 24, 2021, for the continuation of hearing on the trial.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK