The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, western Nigeria this morning adjourned till 27 November, hearing in the money laundering charges preferred against former aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode to resolve the issue of prosecution, whether the prosecution was properly before the court or not
When the matter was mentioned in court this morning, the defence counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN, leading eight other lawyers, told the court that Festus Keyamo chambers and a team of lawyers cannot appear before the court to prosecute the accused as they are not recognised by the Legal Practitioners Act.
He said without raising objection if Keyamo is to appear as a person to prosecute the matter but his chamber is not recognised by the Legal Practitioners Act but if he is appearing in person as the person given fiat by the Attorney-General of the Federation, he can appear. He cited five supreme court authorities to back up his case.
He also cited section 24 of the Legal Practitioners Act.
He told the court that the witness today is the consideration of the former minister, whereby the first prosecution witness will be cross examined. Therefore, the issue of proper representation of the prosecution is an ambush.
He further told the court that in a case like this, the defence counsel is supposed to file application before the court for them to respond.
Adedipe said he was not aware before now that the prosecution was not properly raised before the court.
The presiding judge, Justice Ofili Ajumogobia adjourned to 27 November.