The two former ministers of Aviation, Prof. Babalola Borishade and Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, who were on Friday denied bail by a Magistrate’s Court in Abuja, are said to be in utter shock over the turn of events.
L–R: In the dock: Former Ministers of Aviation – Dr. Babalola Borishade and Chief Femi Fani-Kayode – at the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja... on Wednesday.
Both of them, who are currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for their role in the mismanagement of N19.5bn Aviation Intervention Fund, are spending the weekend in custody.
They are to remain in the commission‘s custody until Monday when Chief Magistrate Lamido Kadiri, will rule on their bail applications.
Also to remain in custody till Monday is the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Mr. Roland Iyayi.
According to a source in the EFCC, the former ministers had been full of hope that their bail applications would sail through and they would be free on Friday.
”Obviously, things did not go their way and, to tell you the truth, I think they are both in some kind of shock over how the whole thing happened.
”They never imagined that they would be spending the weekend in EFCC custody, but it is unfortunate as they have to wait until Monday before the judge can rule on their applications,” the source told our correspondent.
Both men had, reportedly, shunned food and had been drinking a lot of water.
The source, however, noted that relations and friends of the ministers had been given “unfettered access to the suspects.”
He said, ”They have been receiving visitors, including their family members who bring them food, clothes, and other accessories they may require to make their temporary stay here comfortable.”
He noted, however, that EFCC had been mandated to ensure that they got whatever they required, and to give them no problems whatsoever. ”We have concluded our investigation on the matter. The rest is left for the court to resolve.”
The former ministers and the former NAMA boss were charged with conspiracy, breach of trust, breach of official trust, forgery and misappropriation of about N19.5bn government infrastructure intervention fund.
The money was meant for the renovation of four international airports in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja.
According to sources in Abuja, the two former ministers spent their weekend in one of the EFCC facilities at 1, Justice Mohammadu Bello Street in the exclusive Asokoro area. The place is near the River State Governor‘s lodge, almost opposite the Delta State liason office.
“They still feel shocked and betrayed but they are coping well,” the source told Sunday Punch.
Although some of their contemporaries in the Obasanjo administration who were being expected to come forward to perfect their bail conditions had not done so, the former ministers are still hopeful about getting persons with landed property to come and do so.
”Chief Fani-Kayode is not really worried, he has no problems and he expects to be released on Monday. He is being allowed access to family members and friends and he is in touch with many people through telephone,” one of his associates who requested anonymity said.
| [Print Article] | [Post Comment] | View All (55 )Comment(s) |
