Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has responded to the Inspector-General of Police’ invitation, explaining that he will not be able to honour a police interview scheduled for Tuesday.
Last week, a letter signed by CP Habu Sani, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the IGP Monitoring Unit at the Force headquarters in Abuja, alleging criminal conspiracy, defamation, inciting publication, injurious falsehood and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace urged Fani-Kayode to report for an interview.
In a letter dated 27 th August and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police through CP Habu Sani , Fani-Kayode’s lawyers from Kayode Ajulo & Co. Castle of Law in Abuja emphasized that the date was not suitable and that they require the particulars of the alleged offences .
“However, it is essential to unequivocally state that the invitation letter under reference appears vague and ambiguous in its form.
“Your office, for reasons best known to them, did not mention the name (s) and person(s) complaining against our Client and on what particular subject matter his presence is required.
“Therefore, in view of the short notice apparent in your letter under reference, our Client is constrained to politely request for a rescheduling of the interview date and also that he be furnished with essential particulars of the purpose of his visit to your office so as to adequately prepare for the said ‘ interview ’” Fani-Kayode’s lawyers stated.
According to the former minister’s lawyers, his response does not imply an unwillingness to meet the police.
“Our Client is in receipt of your letter of invitation under reference but respectfully requests for a rescheduling of the date slated for the interview.
“Recall that your letter of invitation is dated 20th August 2018; however, same was delivered to our Client only on the 24th day of August 2018.
“The said letter has requested that our Client appears before a named officer on the 28th day of August 2018 for what you described as a “fact finding” discussion.
“We have our Client’s instruction to inform you that he will honour the said invitation and possibly respond to questions on all facts which may be limited to his knowledge,” they stated.
According to Chief Fani-Kayode’s legal team, the need to attend the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference is among reasons why the former minister would prefer a new date in September, this year for his interview by the police.
“Our Client shall in the circumstance be requesting that the appointment be rescheduled to either the 4th or 5th day of September, 2018, subject to the convenience of your office and officers.
“This request is necessitated by the fact that our client already has earlier scheduled programmes that borders on some urgent and crucial matters already lined up for this week including the on-going Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference, which Conference our Client is participating and hosting a number of delegates.
“These might make it difficult or rather impossible for him to honour the invitation on the scheduled date.
“It is in the light of the foregoing that we most respectfully crave your indulgence for a rescheduling of the date slated for the interview to afford our Client the opportunity to attend to his pressing engagements,” they stated.