EFCC amends charge against ex-minister Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Monday, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended 17-count charge of money laundering.

Fani-Kayode was arraigned alongside former minister of state for finance, Nenadi Usman, former chairman of the association of local governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Yusuf Danjuma, and a company, Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Ltd.

Recall that the EFCC had earlier sued the defendants on a 17-count charge of N4.6 billion money laundering.

According to the EFCC, the offences contravened the provisions of sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

In the first leg of the case, chaired by Justice Mohammed Aikawa, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the counts and were granted bail.

Now assigned to a new trial judge, Justice Daniel Osaigor, the defendants are starting the case afresh (de novo).

During the Monday hearing, the amended 17-count charge was read over to the defendants and they each pleaded not guilty.

The court adjourned the case to March 11, for trial, and granted that the defendants continue on their existing bail conditions.

Fani-Kayode publishes video of sons amidst allegations by ex-wife Precious

The former Aviation Minister, Femi Fan-Kayode has published a video of his sons having a swell time with their caretaker after his estranged wife, Precious Chikwendu alleged on her Instagram page that one of her son had contracted Coronavirus.

In the last couple of days, the former beauty queen, Precious Chikwendu had continued to call upon Nigerians to help her seek justice so she would be allowed to see her sons.

Precious also mentioned that one of her sons had Coronavirus and she only found out in court.

The former beauty queen also added that another had a wound on his head and she recently found out too.

In the recent video that she shared on her social media page on Saturday, Precious stated that FFK had kept her away from seeing her offspring despite the court ruling that she should be allowed to see her kids.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXWKAgaFcsM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Femi Fani-Kayode has now released a video in a bid to dispute Precious’ claim and to show that the kids were fine.

The former aviation minister added that Precious had been given access to come to the house to see the kids for the last one year and four months but she has refused.

His statement reads:

“My handsome Princes with their nurses and nannies and other members of my household taken today.

“No bruises, no scars, no head wounds, no Covid 19, no nothing. Their mother has been given access to see them in the house for the last 1 year and 5 months but she has refused to do so.

Despite that they are happy and healthy, they have the very best of everything, they are surrounded by love, light, joy, prosperity and peace and they get the very best of care from a set of highly trained and well respected child care specialists and professionals.

I thank God for their lives and for the lives of the other members of my family and household.

The Lord is with us: blessed be His holy name forever. Merry Christmas everyone.”

Below is a video of the children playing.

Fani-Kayode denies being arrested by EFCC for alleged forgery

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has denounced reports that he was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, November 23.

Taking to his Instagram page on Tuesday night, FFK stated that he was only ‘invited’, contrary to reports that he was arrested.

He went on to state that he was granted bail on self-recognition.

He wrote:

”Just arrived at the George Hotel for dinner. I was never arrested by the EFCC. I was invited & I flew down to Lagos to see them. I arrived in their office at 2.00pm & left at 8.30pm. I was granted bail on self recognition. They were very polite & professional. Thanks be to God.”

He however did not say anything about the allegation of forging a medical report for which he was said to have been ‘invited’.

Buhari demonstrated attribute of God for forgiving Fani-Kayode —Femi Adesina

Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has lauded the President’s “kind and angelic heart of forgiveness” for accepting his staunchest critic, Femi Fani-Kayode, back into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Adesina, in his Facebook column, ‘From the Inside’ on Friday, said the fact that the former Minister of Aviation said “unforgivable and unpardonable things” against Buhari prior to his (FFK) recent defection to the APC, was enough reason for the President to reject his defection but because of magnanimity and forgiving spirit, Buhari refused to act like a regular Nigerian.

Adesina claimed that his principal demonstrated the attribute of God by forgiving Fani-Kayode despite all his previous attacks.

In the article titled ‘Buhari, FFK, and the quality of mercy,’ Adesina praised Buhari to high heavens, saying that by accepting and hosting Fani-Kayode at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Buhari, as the “leader of the party displayed amazing capacity to forgive, to show mercy, and let bygones be bygones.”

Part of the statement reads;

“Not a small ruckus has been caused by the defection of former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK), from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last week.

An icing on the cake, or the salt added to injury (depending on which side you are), was his reception at the Presidential Villa by Muhammadu Buhari, father of the nation. The development has been rocking the polity for many days.

“FFK is by no means a miscellaneous personality, and whatever he does, or does not do, attracts loads of attention.

“He has said things straight from the gutters, things that the natural man would call unforgivable and unpardonable.

“Against President Buhari, the first family, Yusuf Buhari whom he wished had died when the latter had an almost fatal bike accident, APC as a party, the government, leaders of the party, groups and individuals. Even this writer has suffered horrid descriptions from FFK in many write-ups.

Buhari showed him mercy, dropping like gentle rain from heaven, when he could have otherwise spat into the sky, collecting the spittle with his own face. Was that not what me and you would have done? Confess.

“We would have told FFK to go to hell, and stay there. But Buhari didn’t. He displayed an attribute of God: forgiveness.”

Fani-Kayode’s estranged wife sues him, IGP, demands N800m

Former Nigerian beauty queen, Precious Chikwendu has charged her estranged husband, the former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode to a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the enforcement of her fundamental human rights.

According to the court papers filed by her lawyer, Abdul-Aziz Jimoh, the former beauty queen listed Fani-Kayode, Inspector-General of Police, his officers and defendants and in demanding the sum of N800 million (eighth hundred million) as damages.

Other respondents listed in the suit include the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force CID, Commissioner of Police, FCT, and CSP James Idachaba (OC Legal CID), FCT Command.

Precious in the suit stated that she is demanding the said amount because of the roles the respondents have played in “intimidating and harassing” her during the pendency of her custody suit.

The mother of four asked the court to restrain the IGP, his officers and men from intimidating and harassing her in any form, pending the hearing and determination of her suit seeking the custody of the four children she had with Fani-Kayode.

As of the time of filing the report, no date has been fixed for mentioning of the matter.

I judged Buhari from outside but know better now – Fani-Kayode

A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Thursday explained why he returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fani-Kayode, a fierce critic of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, returned to the party he left more than seven years ago on Thursday.

The ex-minister, who appeared on Channels Television programme, “Politics Today,” described the APC as a liberal party.

He commended the President for accommodating the change in the ruling party.

Fani-Kayode said: “I spoke against President Buhari from the outside, now I know him from the inside. I am not saying he is an angel or a demon. The APC I was taking about that time is not the same today. Let’s focus on unity, peace, and togetherness.

There is a time to condemn and criticise people. There is also a time to come together, work together to achieve unity. Joining APC now is the way forward irrespective of what people may think about the party.

“APC is a liberal party. A lot has happened in APC over the years. The party has changed and President has accommodated the change. Had the APC leadership not changed I wouldn’t have joined them.

“I am doing the right thing based on conviction and understanding. This is the right decision for me, love me or hate me, it will not take anything away from me.”

Fani-Kayode warns Nigerian govt not to rely on USA in fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP

Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, has warned the Federal Government to stop its reliance on American aid while detailing lessons from the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the Taliban in Afghanistan over the weekend took over Kabul, the country’s capital, 20 years after the US chased them out.

This led to the president fleeing the country.

In his reaction via a series of tweets on Sunday, Fani-Kayode stated that this was an indication that Nigeria should not depend on the United States in its fight against ISWAP, Boko Haram and foreign Fulani militias.

The former minister also pointed out that Nigerians must unite and confront the monster of terrorism together.

Two lessons can be learnt from this. Firstly we must NEVER rely on the Americans or the international community to defend our nation from the terrorists that are ravaging our land and instead we must do it ourselves.

Secondly, we must come together, unite, forget our differences & collectively fight and resist the scourge of Islamist terror that has plagued our land. May God NEVER allow Boko Haram, ISWAP, the foreign Fulani militias or any other terrorist organisation to fly their flag over our nation, take over our nations capital, defeat our Armed Forces and conquer Nigeria,” Fani-Kayode noted.

He also explained the implications of the takeover on Afghanis.

Fani-Kayode wrote: “The implications for millions of Afghans are obvious and the implications for the entire region and the international community are legion.

As from today Islamist terrorist groups all over the world will have massive financial, logistical and moral support from a strong Islamist Government in Afghanistan. Apart from that, millions of Afghan men who refuse to accept the dictates of the Islamists and jihadists will be executed and millions of Afghan women and girls will be enslaved.”

OPC accuses Fani-Kayode of misinformation over Wakili’s arrest

The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Oyo State, has accused a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, of spreading lies and misinformation.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 10, by the OPC Coordinator in Oyo State, Mr Rotimi Olumo.

Olumo’s statement came in the aftermath of a claim by Fani-Kayode that the Fulani warlord, Abdullah Iskilu-Wakili, captured by OPC members on Sunday was not the real Wakili tormenting the people of Ibarapaland in Oyo State.

According to Olumo, Fani-Kayode‘s claim was misinformation taken too far.

An excerpt from the statement read, “Fani- Kayode is one of the politicians that thrive in telling lies. He has a reputation for using his social media page to foment trouble and cause disunity in Yorubaland. He had once said that the Yoruba language was Anago. How can you take such a person too seriously?

He lives in Abuja, romancing with the North, yet he was the first to refute the claim that the kidnapper was not Wakili. Where did he get his information?

“He should be warned to stop drumming the beat of disunity in Yorubaland. Fani-Kayode was one of the few people that called and congratulated our leader, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams on Monday, on the success of the operation of the OPC, and the following day, he twisted the story refuting the claim that the man apprehended wasn’t Wakili.”

Regarding the battle to capture Wakili, Olumo stated that the operation lasted over five hours, with a fierce battle ensuing between the OPC, the joint security operatives, and the suspects.

However, in the end, he said Wakili was apprehended, but his son, Abu, escaped using their cows as a cover.