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The trial of former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, concerning alleged N6.9 billion fraud and money laundering, could not proceed as scheduled on April 25, 2024.
The Federal High Court in Lagos did not sit due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, who was reportedly on an official assignment.
The case has been adjourned until July 1 for the continuation of the trial.
Fayose, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was first arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd., on 11 counts of fraud and money laundering.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum.
The defendant was re-arraigned before Justice Aneke on July 2, 2019, after the case was withdrawn from Justice Olatoregun, following the EFCC’s petition.
He again pleaded not guilty and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted while the case was adjourned for trial.
The commission has since opened its case before Justice Aneke and is still leading witnesses in evidence.
According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion for the purpose of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti, which they allegedly knew formed part of crime proceeds.
Fayose was also alleged to have received a cash payment of $5 million from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.
He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his account and took control of the aggregate sum of about N622 million, which he allegedly knew formed part of crime proceeds.
Furthermore, the defendant was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd. and Still Earth Ltd. to retain the aggregate sum of N851 million, which they allegedly ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.
Additionally, the former governor was alleged to have used the aggregate sum of about N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which he allegedly ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.
He was also alleged to have used the sum of N200 million to acquire a property in Abuja in the name of his elder sister, Moji Oladeji, which sum he allegedly knew also forms crime proceeds.
These alleged actions contravene the provisions of sections 15(1), 15(2), 15(3), 16(2)(b), 16(d), and 18(c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011. (NAN)
This legal proceeding highlights the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian government and its agencies, such as the EFCC, to combat financial crimes and promote transparency and accountability in governance.
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