EFCC in eight-hour siege on Fani-Kayode’s Abuja residence

Photo: Femi Ipaye

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ended an eight-hour siege on the Abuja home former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Friday.

The embattled politician confirmed the development in a post on his Facebook Friday.

“After 8 hours the massive siege on my home has been lifted, the EFCC has left my gates and I look forward to my date with them at their office on Monday,” Mr. Fani-Kayode said.

The Director of Publicity of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation was on Friday morning formerly invited by the commission to appear at its headquarters on Monday, May 9, for questioning over allegations of money laundering and fraud. The invitation came in form of a letter dated May 6, 2016.

But shortly after the news of the invitation became public, Fani-Kayode raised the alarm that officials had surrounded his home at 6 Zuma Close, Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja.

“The letter of invitation was served this morning (Friday) and it was dated May 6. They said I should report on the 9th which is Monday. Can someone please tell me why they are at my gate? They can’t even wait because they want to detain me so badly and keep me away for the weekend.

“I never refused their invitation. Why all this? I leave them to God,” Fani-Kayode lamented

The Osun-born politician was alleged to have received N840m from the Director of Finance of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Senator Nenadi Usman.

The money, which Fani-Kayode, confessed to receiving, was said to have emanated from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Nenadi Usman, who allegedly handed the money to Fani-Kayode, was arrested by the anti-graft agency but released after returning about N100m to the commission.

Two of her properties in Abuja were also seized by the commission.

The siege on Fani-Kayode’s residence lasted from 10am to 6pm.