Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has described the invitation extended to him by the Nigerian Police Force to appear for questioning today as vague and ambiguous.
The ex-Minister who is a frontline critic of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, noted that whereas he was summoned to appear at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, with respect to allegations that bordered on conspiracy, criminal defamation, inciting publication, injurious falsehood and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, he said Police failed to mention the name of the complainant
In a letter he wrote to the Inspector General of Police through his team of lawyers, led by Dr. Kayode Ajulo, Chief Fani-Kayode adduced reasons he would not be able honour the invitation as scheduled in the letter, even as he requested for the interrogation date to be shifted till September 4 or 5.
Aside scheduled programmes he said involved urgent and crucial matters, the ex-Minister said he was not only participating in the ongoing Annual Conference of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, but also playing host to some of the delegates.
“These might make it impossible for him to honour the invitation on the scheduled date”, his lawyers added.
The letter,Ref No. KACCL/OR/372/18, which was addressed to the IGP and copied to President Buhari, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Minister of Interior, NBA President and the Chairman, Police Service Commission, read:
“Re: Letter of invitation for conspiracy, criminal defamation, inciting publication, injurious falsehood, and conduct likely to cause breach of the of the peace; request for rescheduling of appointment in respect of the above subject
“The above subject matter and your letter dated 20th August 2018 with respect to same refer.
“We are Solicitors to the former Minister of Culture and Tourism, the former Minister of Aviation, and a renowned Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, who is hereinafter referred to as “Our Client” and it is on his definite instruction that we make the following representation.
“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 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.
“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 that he be furnished with essential particulars of the purpose of his visit so as to adequately prepare for the said ‘interview’.
“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 Nigeria Bar Association Annual Conference, which our client is participating and playing host to number of delegates. These might make it 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. In anticipation of your kind response to this letter, please accept the assurances of our esteemed regards”
