By Atoyebi Nike
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to appeal the court judgment that discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, of N6.9 billion money laundering and fraud charges.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos upheld a no-case submission filed by Fayose’s legal team, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case requiring the former governor to enter a defence.
Reacting, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) said the agency would obtain a certified copy of the ruling and begin preparing its appeal.
Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, were re-arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on receiving N1.2 billion for his 2014 campaign and $5 million in cash from former Minister Musiliu Obanikoro. The EFCC alleged the funds were laundered and used to acquire properties through proxies.
Fayose’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), argued that the EFCC failed to present sufficient evidence and questioned why key figures like Abiodun Agbele were not charged. The court agreed, dismissing the prosecution’s case.
Jacobs, however, insisted that suspicious transactions, hidden ownership of properties, and testimonies from EFCC investigators and Obanikoro required further scrutiny, questioning why allegedly legitimate funds were not routed through official banking channels.
