By Atoyebi Nike
The Federal High Court in Lagos has discharged former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, of all charges relating to a ₦6.9 billion money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Presiding Judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, ruled on Wednesday that the anti-graft agency failed to establish a prima facie case linking Fayose to the alleged offences, and therefore no further defense was required.
Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Limited, had been standing trial since 2019 on 11 counts, including the alleged receipt of ₦1.2 billion and $5 million in cash during the 2014 political campaign season. The EFCC had also accused him of laundering various sums through third parties for real estate purchases, with the funds allegedly linked to the office of the former National Security Adviser.
During a previous session on May 19, Fayose’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), argued that the EFCC had not provided sufficient evidence nor charged any alleged co-conspirators, rendering the case structurally defective.
Justice Aneke agreed with the defense, struck out the case, and discharged both Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited.
