FCT High Court, Apo, on Thursday fixed June 29 for judgment in a violation of fundamental human rights suit brought before it by the former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode
The Judge, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, fixed the date after listening to the submissions of the parties.
Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), counsel to Fani-Kayode had approached the court to persuade it to order the release of his client from EFCC detention.
Adedipe said the commission had breached the rights of his client by keeping him for about 14 days without preferring any charge against him.
He also argued that there was no proof of a fresh petition against his client.
“My Lord there is also no proof that there is any ongoing investigation of my client.
“We are seeking the intervention of the court to immediately halt the arbitrary detention of my client,’’ he said.
On his part, Mr Salisu Majidadi, counsel to EFCC, prayed the court to discountenance the suit, adding that the detention of Fani-Kayode had the backing of the law.
Majidadi said the commission was investigating the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation for the 2015 election on fresh allegation.
“This fresh allegation is different from the case of the N800 million which led to his initial detention,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former Minister of Aviation was accused of receiving the 800 million from the $2.1 billion meant for procurement of arms.
“My Lord, this fresh petition received against the former minister by EFCC Special Task Force in Lagos prompted his relocation from Abuja to Lagos.
“ The commission invited Fani-Kayode on May 9, and on May 10 we obtained a court order to detain him in Abuja with respect to the alleged N800 million scam.
“The court order obtained by the EFCC from the FCT High Court expired on May 24,’’ he said.
He further said: “ we were compelled to hand him over to the Special Task Force in Lagos on May 23, when the order of court to remand him was renewed in Lagos jurisdiction.’’ (NAN)