Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has been discharged by the Federal High Court in Lagos of charges bordering on money laundering and theft to the tune of ₦6.9bn.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke earlier today upheld a no-case submission filed by Fayose.
Justice Chukwujekwu ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to link him to the alleged crime or establish a prima facie case to warrant him opening his defence.
Fayose was first arraigned in 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, before the EFCC later secured a case transfer to Justice Aneke.
The anti-graft agency had accused Fayose of receiving ₦1.2bn for his 2014 governorship campaign.
He was also accused of collecting $5m in cash from a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.
EFCC also accused the former governor of laundering various sums, including over ₦1.6bn, which was allegedly used to acquire properties through companies such as De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd.
Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, were re-arraigned before Justice Aneke on 11 counts bordering on money laundering and theft.
EFCC said Fayose committed the offences while serving as governor.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Fayose’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), argued that the EFCC failed to prove any of the allegations.
He also noted that Abiodun Agbele, who was allegedly involved in the transactions, was not charged alongside Fayose.
“With due respect, the predicate offences 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.
The court agreed and discharged the former governor.
