By Lukman Olabiyi
The trial of two former ministers and chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Femi Fani-Kayode and Mrs Esther Nenadi Usman over alleged N 4.6 billion fraud will, today, continue before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Fani-Kayode was former Minister of Aviation while Mrs Usman was former Minister of State for Finance.
Their trial which was earlier scheduled to continue yesterday was stalled owing to non-preparedness of Fani-kayode’s new lawyer, Norrison Quakers (SAN).
Fani-Kayode’s new counsel, while addressing the court, said he was only briefed about the matter on Sunday evening and would need time to study the case file.
Justice Muslim Hassan had earlier turned down a request by Quakers for a meeting with him and other parties in the matter inside his chambers. The court then adjourned further hearing in the matter till today for continuation of trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had, on June 28, 2016, arraigned the former minister and three others on a 17-count charge of alleged N4.6 billion fraud.
Apart from Fani-Kayode and Usmani, others docked are one Danjuma Yusuf and a company, John Trust Dimensions Nigeria Limited.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and were later admitted to bail in the sum of N250 million each.