Posted by Lanre Adewole, Abuja on
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arrested a former aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, over alleged money laundering and bribery running into N230 million.
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arrested a former aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, over alleged money laundering and bribery running into N230 million.
Commission's spokesperson, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that Fani-Kayode would be arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos today.
He was minister in the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The commission had earlier arraigned him in July over an alleged N16.5 billion scam in the aviation ministry, alongside his predecessor, Dr. Babalola Borishade.
It was gathered that over N230 million allegedly involved in the fresh case had been traced to Fani-Kayode's account domiciled in a new generation bank.
The statement of account is said to have been obtained by the commission, preparatory to his trial over the alleged scam.
The former minister was also alleged to have collected various sums as bribes during his stay in office, totalling over N230 million when added to the money said to have been involved in the money laundering saga.
An Abuja Chief Magistrate had granted bail to the former minister when he was arraigned by the commission in Abuja over the alleged aviation ministry scandal.
Nigerian Tribune was informed that he was moved to Lagos yesterday evening, in readiness for his arraignment today.
It was equally gathered that Fani-Kayode was arrested at about 11.00 a.m. on Monday, after falling for what a source described as ‘a bait'.
The source disclosed that he was lured into a convenient place for the commission's operatives to pick him up. He reportedly fell for the bait.
A legal luminary, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on the arrest, said Fani-Kayode should be given access to his lawyers in keeping with the policy of government on respect for the rule of law.
Abayomi said he would not be able to make a broad comment until the allegations raised were known.