Court okays remand of Fani-Kayode

Another decides Metuh’s application tomorrow

A magistrate’s Court sitting in Ikeja has granted a remand application brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking to remand former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode over alleged N1.5 billion fraud.

The accused, who was also spokesman for the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation in last year’s presidential election, appeared yesterday before Chief Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi.

When the matter was called at about 12:30, counsel to the anti-graft agency, Mr. A. N. Anana, informed the court of an application for an order of remand dated May 10, 2016 brought pursuant to Section 261 of Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2011 of Lagos State.

“We have an application before the court, an order of remand dated May 10 brought pursuant to Section 261 of ACJL, attached with it is a nine-paragraph affidavit of urgency deposed to by one Tosin Ngbodagha.”

Anana therefore, urged the court to grant the application.

Opposing, the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Wale Balogun, argued that the anti- graft’s application was in breach of client’s constitutional rights, adding that the defendant had been granted an administrative bail by the EFCC on May 12 but not released.

He also informed the court the anti-graft agency had gotten the same order of remand for 14 days before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court and was brought to Lagos after its expiration.

He, therefore, urged the court to disregard the EFCC’s remand application against his client.

But the EFCC counsel also argued that investigation was ongoing and if the defendant is released, he may interfere or tamper with the investigation.

However, after listening to their submission, Magistrate Osunsanmi granted the request.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court Sitting in Abuja has reserved ruling on the application filed by former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, till Wednesday.

Metuh had last week, filed an application praying the court for the release of his international passport to enable him travel to the United Kingdom for the treatment of an undisclosed ailment.

Justice Okon Abang had on Friday reserved yesterday for hearing of the application.

Metuh’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), in his argument, prayed the court to grant the application, stressing that it has inherent powers to do so if it wishes.

But the prosecution counsel, Tahir, strongly opposed the application.