Former Aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has issued a denial to reports in the media claiming he is seeking a plea bargain with federal government.
In a statement made available to TheNewsGuru.com by Fani-Kayode’s Media spokesperson, Jude Ndukwe, the former minister described reports alleging that he pleaded for an out of court settlement as false and embarrassing.
The statement reads, “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.”
Mr. Fani-Kayode is facing a five-count charge of alleged money laundering amounting to N26 million before Justice John Tsoho of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused the ex-minister of collecting N26 million from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and using same for media campaign.
Recall that TheNewsGuru.com reported on Monday, that Ahmed Raji, Mr. Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, asked the judge to adjourn the proceedings to allow him explore other options of settlement aside from going to trial.
“My Lord, I am just coming into the case and so I crave your indulgence to enable me familiarise myself with the case,” said Mr. Raji, a senior advocate of Nigeria.
“Secondly, looking at the facts of the case and 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 plea bargain and so many other options rather than go through trial.”