Fani-Kayode Writes IG, Says He’ll Honour Invitation

Benneth Oghifo
The former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, yesterday responded to the invitation by the police over alleged incitement, saying he would honour the said invitation and “possibly respond to questions on all facts, which may be limited to his knowledge.”

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had on August 20 summoned the former minister over alleged multiple case of conspiracy, criminal defamation, inciting publication, injurious falsehood and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
The letter of invitation to Fani Kayode, dated August 20 and signed by Commissioner of Police, Force Headquarters Abuja, CP Habu Sani, stated that the former minister was been invited over the above mentioned case “reported to the Inspector-General of Police, in which the former minister was mentioned.”

The IG however noted that the invitation was purely for fact findings and thereby sought the former minister’s cooperation as regards the invitation.
Fani-kayode in his response yesterday, through his lawyer, Kayode Ajulo informed the police that he would honour the invitation, but added: “However, it is essential to unequivocally state that the invitation letter under reference appears vague and ambiguous in its form. Your office, for reasons best known to them, did not mention the name (s) and person(s) complaining against our client and on what particular subject matter his presence is required.

“Therefore, in view of the short notice apparent in your letter under reference, our client is constrained to politely request for a rescheduling of the interview date and also that he be furnished with essential particulars of the purpose of his visit to your office so as to adequately prepare for the said ‘interview.”
The former minister subsequently requested that the appointment be rescheduled to either the 4th or 5th day of September, 2018, “subject to the convenience of your office and officers.”

Fani-Kayode’s lawyer added: “This request is necessitated by the fact that our client already has earlier scheduled programmes that borders on some urgent and crucial matters already lined up for this week including the on-going Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference, which Conference our Client is participating and hosting a number of delegates. These might make it difficult or rather impossible for him to honour the invitation on the scheduled date.
“It is in the light of the foregoing that we most respectfully crave your indulgence for a rescheduling of the date slated for the interview to afford our Client the opportunity to attend to his pressing engagements.”