By Samuel Malik

Former aviation minister and immediate past spokesman of Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential campaign, Femi Fani-Kayode, is set to know his fate on the seven-year N100 million money laundering trial on July 1.

Justice Rita Ofili Ajumogobia of the Federall High Court in Lagos said she could not deliver judgement on Thursday, because the absence of lead prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo, and thus deferred ruling to July 1.

“It is proper for the entire parties to be around for the judgment, I feel this is the right thing to do… it is better to have everyone present for the judgment,” Justice Ajumogobia said, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Fani-Kayode is standing trial on a two-count charge of money laundering while he was minister of culture and tourism and later minister of aviation. The N100 million case, which began since 2008 before Justice Ramat Mohammed of the same court, saw 38 of the original 40 count charges levelled against him dismissed on November 17, 2014, by Justice Rita, who succeeded Justice Mohammed.

Keyamo, represented by Festus Afiyen, was said to be attending another matter to which he was a principal witness, could not be present at Thursday’s hearing and  though defence counsel, I.A Adedipe, asked the court to postpone ruling till 1pm, as Keyamo had told him he would be present by then, the judge declined, preferring to adjourn till July 1.