A Sigh of Relief for Fani-Kayode

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, is perhaps one of the most prosecuted former public servants in Nigeria, having faced criminal prosecution and trials in four major cases and one appeal by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). 

He is also one of the most discharged and acquitted fellows.

For over the last 18 years, he was in court for charges of corruption and has won every case with his last – at least for now – held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

The prosecution of the former minister started in 2008 by the anti-graft commission at the Federal High Court in Lagos before Justice Ahmad, Justice Binta Nyako and finally Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia. 

He was discharged and acquitted on  July 1,  2015 by Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.

He was again prosecuted from 2016 to 2023 in Lagos before Justice M.S. Hassan, Justice Aikawa and Justice Oziagor but the charges preferred against him were quashed by the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos on April 21, 2023. 

While that was ongoing, he was in court again from 2016 to 2025 before Justice John Tsoho at the Federal High Court in Abuja and was discharged on all counts on January 15, 2025.

 Fani-Kayode was also in court from 2021 to 2025 for allegedly forging medical reports before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Lagos State High Court who last Tuesday discharged and acquitted him on all counts after holding that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him.

The journey was not a funny one for the former minister in terms of finances to defend himself and other personal discomforts including frequent travels to and from courts.

Speaking to journalists after last Tuesday’s discharge, he expressed gratitude to God over the verdict, vindication and great relief, stating that he now feels overjoyed that he is finally free.

The lesson here is for the EFCC to always conduct investigation diligently before going after their suspects. It is left to imagination how much the commission would have wasted on the needless journey due to not properly doing their homework well.