Fayose floors EFCC, cleared of N6.9bn money laundering charge, celebrates with bricklayers

Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti State was in Wednesday cleared of all charges in a N6.9 billion money laundering and theft case by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

The case was brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC since 2019.

However, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke in his ruling discharged and acquitted Fayose on the grounds that the EFCC failed to establish a prima facie case that would necessitate Fayose’s trial.

In a media coverage by TVC, the emotional former governor broke down in tears as he left the court premises, overwhelmed after years of legal battles that had consumed much of his post-gubernatorial life.Fayose had endured a lengthy trial over allegations of money laundering and financial misappropriation during his time as Ekiti State Governor. The case began in 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, but the EFCC later secured a transfer to Justice Aneke in Lagos.

The EFCC’s charges alleged that Fayose took possession of N1.2 billion for his 2014 gubernatorial campaign and received $5 million in cash from former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, while bypassing financial institutions.

Prosecutors also accused him of laundering various sums and using over N1.6 billion to acquire properties through proxies, violating provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

However, the court determined that the prosecution’s case lacked credible evidence. Chief Agabi (SAN), the Senior Advocate representing Fayose, successfully argued that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case, which led to the former governor’s discharge.

Outside the court, Fayose was seen kneeling and expressing gratitude to his Senior Advocate for securing his freedom from the prolonged prosecution.