Court acquits Fayose of money laundry charges after seven years

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday discharged and acquitted a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, of all charges in a money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court upheld Fayose’s no-case submission, effectively ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him to warrant further defence.

Fayose had been standing trial on allegations bordering on money laundering and fraud during his tenure as governor. However, after years of legal proceedings, the court found that the evidence presented by the EFCC was insufficient to sustain the charges.

Fayose had been standing trial on allegations bordering on money laundering and fraud during his tenure as governor. However, after years of legal proceedings, the court found that the evidence presented by the EFCC was insufficient to sustain the charges.

On May 20, the court had reserved its decision after hearing arguments from counsel for Fayose (the 1st defendant) Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN; Olalekan Ojo, SAN, representing the 2nd defendant (Spotless Investment Limited); and Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, who represented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

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