Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has been discharged of all charges related to a ₦6.9 billion money laundering and theft case.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos delivered the ruling today, upholding a no-case submission filed by Fayose’s legal team. The judge said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to establish any direct link between the former governor and the alleged financial crimes.
Fayose was first dragged to court by the EFCC in 2018, where he faced 11-count charges of money laundering and theft. The charges included claims that he received ₦1.2 billion and $5 million in cash from former Defence Minister, Musiliu Obanikoro, for his 2014 election campaign—allegedly without passing through any financial institution.
The EFCC also accused Fayose of laundering over ₦1.6 billion through firms like De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd, using the money to acquire properties while serving as governor.
However, Fayose’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), told the court that the EFCC’s case was full of holes. He pointed out that key individuals allegedly involved in the transactions, like Abiodun Agbele, were never charged, raising questions about the credibility of the prosecution.
“The EFCC has not shown how Fayose is directly linked to these funds,” Agabi argued. “No co-conspirator was charged. The case is weak and does not meet the standard required in criminal prosecution.”
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Justice Aneke agreed, ruling that the EFCC failed to prove its case or provide sufficient evidence to compel Fayose to enter a defence. He was therefore discharged and acquitted.
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