AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Federal High Court in Lagos has cleared former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, of all charges bordering on alleged money laundering and theft involving ₦6.9 billion.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke upheld a no-case submission filed by Fayose, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to establish a prima facie case or sufficiently link him to the alleged offences.
Fayose was initially arraigned in 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, but the case was later reassigned to Justice Aneke at the instance of the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency accused Fayose of receiving ₦1.2 billion for his 2014 governorship campaign and collecting $5 million in cash from the then Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, in violation of money laundering laws. He was also alleged to have laundered over ₦1.6 billion through companies such as De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd for the acquisition of property.
Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, were re-arraigned before Justice Aneke on 11 counts of money laundering and theft, reportedly involving funds traced to the Office of the National Security Adviser.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Fayose’s counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), argued that the prosecution failed to prove its case and that no co-conspirator was charged alongside the defendant. He also pointed out that Abiodun Agbele, who was allegedly central to the transactions, was not arraigned.
“The predicate offences do not hold water,” Agabi said. “Criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are distinct charges, yet no alleged co-conspirator was brought before the court.”
In his ruling, Justice Aneke agreed with the defence and discharged Fayose of all charges.
