N26m fraud: Fani Kayode denies plea bargain pact with FG

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode has denied the claim that he is seeking an out-of-court settlement to his case. In a statement by his spokesman, Jude Ndukwe, Fani-Kayode debunked reports that he intends to refund the alleged N26m for which he is being charged. "Reports that Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has agreed to return […]

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode has denied the claim that he is seeking an out-of-court settlement to his case.

In a statement by his spokesman, Jude Ndukwe, Fani-Kayode debunked reports that he intends to refund the alleged N26m for which he is being charged.

"Reports that Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has agreed to return 26 million naira to the EFCC in an attempt to settle his case at the Abuja Federal High Court out of court with them are false. The matter was adjourned in the Abuja Federal High Court today primarily because a new lawyer in the person of Mr. Ahmed Raji SAN was now handling the case and he needed time to be properly briefed on the matter and to go through the file. Under no circumstances will Chief Fani-Kayode pay any money back to EFCC or any other government agency because he never colllected any money from any government agency in the first place. The reports are false, embarrasing and mischevous."

Recall that there were reports that Fani-Kayode may explore out-of-court settlement with the federal government on his current trial over alleged N26 million fraud.

According to the report, Counsel to Kayode, Wale Balogun told newsmen at the end of the case on Monday, that the defence will explore plea bargain and other settlement options to settle the case.
Earlier, senior defence counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN) asked for time to familiarize himself with the case and the amount of money involved.

But prosecution counsel, J.A. Ojogbane said while he is not objecting to the application for adjournment, he would want the court to “take cognizance that this is the second adjournment at the instance of the defendant.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Kayode on five-count charges of receiving the N26m from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki through one Victor Ehiabhi by one Salisu Shuaibu.

According to the EFCC, Kayode, the erstwhile Director of Media and Publicity of the Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign, allegedly received the money on November 24, 2014.

The offences are brought under sections 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering and Prohibition Act.

Kayode is also facing a similar charge on 17-counts before a Federal High Court in Lagos worth the sum of N1.2 billion. He was granted bail on October 21 before his re-arrest by the EFCC.

The case has been adjourned to March 14 for hearing.