Illegal detention: Court refuses Fani-Kayode’s application

An FCT High Court yesterday refused the application by former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode challenging his arrest and detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, in a judgement, held that the arrest and detention of Kayode was not a violation of his fundamental right because it was within the statutory powers of the EFCC.

The judge said the applicant’s detention was on the remand of a court, renewable after 14 days, as provided in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

He therefore dismissed the suit for lack of merit.

Fani-Kayode was arrested on May 10 over alleged diversion of the sum of N800 million public funds as Director of Media and Publicity for the Jonathan/ Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2015.

He was transferred to Lagos where he was further detained on the orders of a court before being arraigned on a 17-count charge of money laundering.

Arguing, his counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), said the EFCC asked him to give them $1 million.

But EFCC counsel, Salisu Majidadi, asked the court to discountenance the application because FaniKayode was being held on remand of the court’s pending investigation. He said while the first remand order lapsed on May 24, a fresh order was granted in Lagos which will expire on June 15.