The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday sought the transfer of a money laundering suit against former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, to a new judge.
Fani-Kayode is standing trial before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of a Federal High Court, Lagos on an amended 47-count charge bordering on money laundering.
When the case was mentioned, Counsel to the EFCC, Festus Keyamo, informed the court of a pending application for the transfer of the case to another judge.
Keyamo told the court that he had formally applied to the Chief Judge of the FHC for a transfer and urged the court to grant the request.
Keyamo also exhibited before the court, a copy of the fiat of the Attorney-General of the Federation, empowering him to prosecute the case.
Ofili-Ajumogobia, in a short ruling, held that since there was a pending application for transfer before the court, the case file would be sent to the FHC chief judge for re-assignment.
She, therefore, adjourned the case sine die (indefinitely).
Fani-Kayode was accused of accepting cash payments of N230 million, without going through a financial institution.
He had pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge and was granted bail.
When the case came up last, the judge had disqualified Vitalis Ahaotu, a prosecutor from the firm of Festus Keyamo and Co.
The judge said the disqualification was due to the inability of Ahaotu to show that he possessed a fiat of the attorney-general, authorising him to prosecute the accused.
She had, therefore, ordered hearing notices to be served on Keyamo personally, to appear and justify his prosecution of the case.
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