Femi Fani-Kayode
Nigeria’s former Minister of Aviation will remain in custody till his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on November 10, according to reports.
EFCC sources said Mr. Fani-Kayode would be charged for allegedly receiving about N26 million from a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
The sources said if granted bail on the same day, the EFCC will rearrest Mr. Fani-Kayode and slam fresh charges against him for allegedly collecting another N22 million from Mr. Dasuki.
The money is part of the $2.1 billion infamous arms scandal.
EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that Mr. Fani-Kayode will be arraigned on November 10, but said the report of a re-arrest was a “mere rumour”.
“It is true he has been served (on the N26 million charge) and the case will come up on November 10,” Mr. Uwujaren said. He added that the claim the former aviation minister might be arrested again on that day over new allegations of N22 million was a “mere rumour.”
On October 21, Mr. Fani-Kayode was arrested outside the courtroom, where he had been facing a separate money laundering trial since June.
Mr. Fani-Kayode served as spokesman for the reelection campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He was released from detention after spending more than two months trying to secure a bail.
On Tuesday, his spokesman, Jude Ndukwe, said he was aware of the plans by the EFCC to arrest his principal for the third time.
Mr. Ndukwe said the EFCC by its alleged persecution of his principal had cast itself before the world as a “lawless organisation”.
“Yes, we’ve been hearing that they have several matters lined up for which they will use to continue to detain him indefinitely,” Mr. Ndukwe said. “It’s a very dark moment for our country.”
“Don’t forget that when he was re-arrested outside the court about two weeks ago, the EFCC did so without a warrant of arrest or any detention order.
“Even if he’s granted bail 100 times, the EFCC will rearrest him 100 times,” Mr. Ndukwe said. “Please let me repeat, the EFCC is a lawless organisation.”
