The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday, arraigned Nenadi Esther Usman, a former Minister of Finance and Director of Finance PDP Presidential Campaign Organization in the last general election; Femi Fani-Kayode also a former Minister and Director Media/Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization; Danjuma Yusuf and Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Limited before Justice M. S. Hassan of the Federal High Court Lagos, on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, corruption and making cash payments exceeding the amount authorized by law.
The accused were alleged to have stolen and illegally disbursed about N4.9 billion Naira belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria for political and personal uses.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them.
In view of their plea, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo asked that trial commence immediately and that the case be given accelerated hearing.
However, counsel to accused: Fred Orbih (SAN), Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), and S. I. Ameh (SAN) for first. Second and third accused respectively, informed the court of their applications for bail. But Rotimi said he needed time to respond to the applications and urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody pending the consideration of the bail applications.
Justice Hassan ruled that, “since the prosecution was only served bail application yesterday, and in the interest of justice, it will be fair if the prosecution is given the opportunity to respond”.
He, therefore, ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody and adjourned to Friday, July 1, 2016 for hearing of bail applications.