Spokesman to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organization, Femi Fani-Kayode, has asked the Federal High Court Abuja, to adjourn his case to enable him seek an out-of-court settlement.
The former Minister of Aviation was dragged before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly receiving 26 million naira from the arms procurement fund when Rt. Col Sambo Dasuki was National Security Adviser.
Counsel for Fani-Kayode, Ameh Raji (SAN), said since the sum of money involved was as little as N26 million, there was no need for it to be settled in court.
“My Lord, I am just coming into the case, so I crave your indulgence to enable me familiarize myself with the case.
“Secondly, looking at the facts of the case and the money involved, I believe that there are other options we can explore.
“The case involves the sum of N26 million and the law allows you to explore the option of a plea bargain and so many other options rather than go through trial,” Raji told the court.
He said that if the EFCC was amenable to plea bargain, the defence would take the option.
The prosecuting counsel, Johnson Ojogbane said he was not opposing the application.
Ojogbane, however, asked the court to take cognizance of the fact that this was the second adjournment at the instance of the defence and asked for a definite date to commence trial.
The judge, Justice John Tsoho, adjourned the matter till March 14 for commencement of trial.
Fani-Kayode was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice Tsoho on a fresh five counts bordering on money laundering.
Count two of the charge read that;” You Femi Fani-Kayode, converted N26 million cash paid from the office of the National Security Adviser for the purpose of media campaign when you ought to have reasonably known that the said funds formed part of an unlawful act contrary to section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering Act.”
Following the argument of his bail application by the counsel who represented him on that day, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), he was admitted to bail in the sum of N50 million and one surety in like sum.
Fani-Kayode is facing another 17 counts of money laundering before the Lagos division of the court.
