N4.9bn Fraud: Don’t Meet Me in My Chambers – Judge Tells Fani-Kayode’s Lawyer

Forum 7 years ago

N4.9bn Fraud: Don’t Meet Me in My Chambers – Judge Tells Fani-Kayode’s Lawyer

Justice Muslim Hassan of the Lagos Federal High Court, has dismissed an application to meet with former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Norrison Quakers in his chambers, according to the DailyPost.

Quakers, who recently took over the former Minister’s case, had during yesterday’s proceedings prayed the court for an adjournment and a meeting with the trial judge in his chambers.

Fani-Kayode is currently facing charges bordering on N4.9bn money laundering before the Justice Hassan-led court.

Praying for an adjournment and meeting with the judge in his chambers, Quakers said, “I’m coming into this matter for the first time. I was briefed yesterday (Sunday) evening. I need time to study the case.

“That aside, I had applied to enable the prosecution counsel and me to see the judge in his chambers. It’s imperative that parties approach the court in chambers.

“It is our duty to protect the dignity of the court. The rules allow the court to hear certain applications in the judge’s chambers. We owe it a duty to protect the court from embarrassment.

“I have in my possession facts that will assist the court to determine whether to proceed or not.

”However, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nkereuwem Anana, frowned at the application of meeting with Justice Hassan in his chamber.

Anana said, “I have seniors in this matter and so, I don’t think I am the proper person to come for any meeting in the chambers.

“I said earlier that we are ready to go on and I did not ask for any adjournment; so, if there is a call for any meeting, I will not be a part of that meeting.

”The trial judge, however, declined Quakers’ request for a meeting in his chambers but granted the adjournment of the trial till January 17.

Justice Hassan said, “In respect of the application to meet the court in chambers,with respect to the learned Senior Advocate, this court will not oblige that request.“

Learned senior counsel is at liberty to file a formal application and forward his observations.

“In respect of his application for an adjournment, since the learned senior counsel has just been briefed and is appearing for the first time in this matter, and this case was adjourned for three consecutive days for trial, on grounds of fair hearing, I will oblige him an adjournment to come back tomorrow (today) for continuation of trial.”