Fani-Kayode Regains Freedom at Last

• Ex finance minister, Usman, seeks severance, transfer of criminal charge

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The embattled former Minister of Aviation and Director of Media and Publicity, Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, finally regained his freedom after spending about 24 days in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Fani-Kayode, regained his freedom yesterday after he perfected his bail condition granted by Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The EFFCC had on Thursday, 10 November arraigned the former minister on a five-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N26 million.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and his counsel consequently applied for his bail.
Adedipe, while stating that the offence his client is been accused of is bail able drew the attention of the court to the fact that Kayode, who was arrested outside the Federal High Court, Lagos premises was held for 21 days without a warrant of arrest or detention from the any court of law.

He disclosed that Fani-Kayode was earlier granted bail in a sister case where he was accused of misappropriating N1.2 billion and had not breeched the terms of his bail.

He therefore urged the court to grant him bail on self recognition of on a liberal term.
Delivering ruling on the application, Justice Tsoho, held that the offence the defendant was accused of was bailable.

Tsoho described as mere speculation claim by the prosecution that the defendant was a flight risk and was likely to temper with evidence if granted bail.

He stated that there was no evidence to show that when the defendant was granted bail in the sister case, he breeched the conditions of his bail.

He therefore granted the bail application in the sum of N50 million with a surety in like sum, adding that the surety must owned landed property in Abuja.

The surety is expected to produce the original documents of the property for citing and inspection before the Deputy Registrar, Litigation.

The defendant and the surety are both expected to produce two recent passport photographs, while he is expected to submit any travelling document with him and would only get same from the court if the need arises.

The judge added that the defendant be remanded in Kuje prison pending his meeting of the bail condition.

Speaking shortly after he perfected his bail conditions yesterday, Fani-Kayode told newsmen that having spent a total of about three months in detention, he was no longer afraid of incarceration by the ruling government.

Fani-Kayode was re-arrested by operatives of the anti-graft agency in Lagos on October 28 before his arraignment in Abuja.