Following his acquittal of the money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Femi Fani-Kayode changed his surname to “Olukoyade” as a mark of gratitude to God
One-time Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has decided to change his surname to “Olukoyade” as a mark of gratitude to God following his acquittal of the money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The protracted legal battle between the former Minister of Aviation and the EFCC over alleged money laundering came to an end on Wednesday, July 1, when the Federal High Court in Lagos finally discharged and acquitted him.
However, the EFCC, which expressed shock at the ruling, vowed to challenge the decision of the court.
Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, while reading her judgment, which lasted almost an hour, said that the prosecution presented “a feeble case” and failed to link Fani-Kayode to the charged offences.
“It is apparent that the prosecution’s case is feeble and has failed to establish that the accused person paid or accepted cash deposits exceeding the authorised limit and did not do so through a financial institution,” the judge said in the judgment obtained by online news medium, Premium Times."
“The prosecution has therefore failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that an offence had been committed under Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act (2004).
“I am of the considered view that the accused person, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, in the absence of copious evidence connecting him to the offence charged, ought to be discharged and acquitted of the two surviving counts of the amended charge and I so hold.”
The EFCC had arraigned Fani-Kayode before Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia in 2013 on a 40-count amended charge of money laundering amounting to almost N100 million while he was Minister of Aviation in 2006.
“I thank God for his goodness, his mercy and for the fact that today, the whole nightmare has finally come to an end,” Fani-Kayode said
Over excited, Fani-Kayode said as a mark of honor and respect for the Lord and as an everlasting testimony of love for and dedication to him, he would now change his surname to “Olukayode”.