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Nigerian court remands former ministers in prison over graft

Xinhua, July 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

A Nigerian Federal High Court in southwest Lagos on Friday said two former ministers under probe are to remain in prison till July 4, 2016 as it reserved ruling on their bail applications.

Spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Wilson Uwujaren said Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister and Nenadi Usman a former finance minister were arraigned alongside Danjuma Yusuf and Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Limited.

The accused persons are alleged to have diverted about 4.9 billion naira (over 17 million U.S. dollars) belonging to the government of Nigeria for political and personal uses.

They had pleaded not guilty.

Fani-Kayode and Usman, both directors of media and finance respectively of the former ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organization in the 2015 general election, were on June 28, 2016 arraigned by the commission before Justice M. S. Hassan on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, corruption and making cash payments exceeding the amount authorized by law.

Consequently, their counsels moved the motion for bail, having filed separate applications in which they prayed the court to release their clients on bail.

But the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo said he needed time to respond to the applications. Justice Hassan consequently adjourned proceedings to July 1 for hearing of the bail applications.

At the resumed hearing on Friday, counsel to the defendants argued the applications.

Justice Hassan consequently adjourned to July 4, 2016 for ruling. Endit