Goodluck Jonathan's ministers remanded in prison over corruption

ABUJA, Wednesday

Two ministers in the Cabinet of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan have been remanded in prison on allegations of conspiracy, stealing and corruption.

Former Finance and Aviation ministers, Ms Hajia Nenadi Usman and Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, respectively were also accused of making cash payments in excess of the amount authorised by law.

They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

Ms Usman was also the Director of Finance of the former ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Presidential Campaign Organisation in the 2015 General Election, while Mr Fani-Kayode held the position of the Director of Media and Publicity.

They appeared before the Lagos Federal High Court on Tuesday along with one Danjuma Yusuf.

The former ministers and Mr Yusuf were arraigned on a 17-count charge, and were specifically accused of stealing and illegally disbursing about $17 milllion (N4.9 billion) belonging to the Federal Government for political and personal uses.

According to the charge, the accused also on January 8, 2015, conspired to indirectly retain the sum of $5.3 million (N1.5 billion) of public money.

They pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, urged that the trial commence immediately and that it be expedited, while the accused persons should be denied bail.

The court ruled that they be remanded in custody pending the consideration of their bail applications.

The court adjourned to Friday for hearing of the bail applications.

Ms Usman and Mr Fani-Kayode have been facing corruption charges in other courts and the former has already refunded some of the money she stole.