Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday stormed the home of a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Director of Publicity of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, who was alleged to have received N840m from the Director of Finance of the campaign organisation, Senator Nenadi Usman.
The money, which Fani-Kayode confessed to receiving, was said to have emanated from the account of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Fani-Kayode’s home located at 6 Zuma Close, Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja, had about 10 armed policemen who wore vests which had the inscription of the EFCC.
The EFCC operatives were said to have stormed Fani-Kayode’s home around 10am, barely two hours after delivering a letter of invitation at the ex-minister’s home.
In his reaction, Fani-Kayode said, “Today the EFCC invited me to come to their office on Monday. I have their letter. I agreed to be there. Now they have surrounded my house.
“The letter of invitation was served this morning (Friday) and it was dated May 6. They said I should report on the 9th which is Monday. Can someone please tell me why they are at my gate? They can’t even wait because they want to detain me so badly and keep me away for the weekend. I never refused their invitation. Why all this? I leave them to God.”
Some of Fani-Kayode’s aides, who spoke to the EFCC operatives, said the ex-minister was not around but the operatives, who claimed to be acting on strict orders from above, were under the belief that Fani-Kayode was hiding inside the house.
Around 6pm, however, the policemen and about three EFCC officials drove away in a white bus.
In a letter signed by Mohammed Umar Abba on behalf of the Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, the commission explained that Fani-Kayode’s name featured prominently in the alleged scam and he was needed to clarify some issues.
The letter read in part, “The commission is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, fraud and money laundering involving Joint Trust Dimensions Limited which you featured prominently. In view of the above, you are requested to kindly report.”
Nenadi Usman, who allegedly handed the money to Fani-Kayode, was arrested by the anti-graft agency but released after returning about N100m to the commission.
Two of her properties in Abuja were also seized by the commission.
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