The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned a former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, accusing him and three others of laundering N4.9 billion.

A planned arraignment of Mr. Fani-Kayode was stalled last Tuesday by the absence of the trial judge.

Judge Sule Hassan’s absence was said to be due to an “official function”.

Mr. Fani-Kayode, who served as director of media and publicity during the campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan, is facing a 17-count charge bordering on unlawful retention, use, and payment of money in the tune of about N4.9 billion.

Others charged alongside the former minister are Senator Nenadi Usman, former finance minister; Danjuma Yusuf; and a company, Joint Trust Dimension Nig. Ltd.

According to the EFCC’s charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015.

In counts one to seven, they were alleged to have unlawfully retained over N3.8 billion which they “reasonably ought to have known” formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act of stealing and corruption. (Premium Times)