Former Ekiti governor Fayose discharged in ₦6.9bn money laundering case

The Federal High Court in Lagos has acquitted Ayodele Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti State, of charges bordering on money laundering and theft amounting to ₦6.9 billion.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke upheld a no-case submission presented by Fayose, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to sufficiently link him to the alleged crime or establish a prima facie case that would warrant him to open his defense.

Fayose was initially arraigned in 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, but the EFCC later secured a transfer of the case to Justice Aneke’s court.

The anti-graft agency had accused Fayose of receiving ₦1.2 billion for his 2014 governorship campaign and accepting $5 million in cash from former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, allegedly without following due financial processes through a financial institution.

He was also accused of laundering various sums, including over ₦1.6 billion, which was reportedly used to acquire properties through companies such as De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd.

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Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, were re-arraigned before Justice Aneke on 11 counts related to money laundering and theft.

The alleged offenses were said to have occurred during his tenure as governor and reportedly involved funds linked to the Office of the National Security Adviser.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), Fayose’s lawyer, argued that the EFCC had failed to prove any of its allegations.

He specifically highlighted that Abiodun Agbele, who was allegedly involved in some of the transactions, was not charged alongside Fayose.

“With due respect, the predicate offenses on which these charges are based do not hold water. Criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are distinct, and no co-conspirator was charged alongside the defendant,” Agabi submitted to the court.

The court ultimately agreed with the defense’s arguments, leading to the discharge of the former governor.