The Federal High Court in Lagos has discharged former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, of all charges bordering on money laundering and theft totalling ₦6.9 billion.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke upheld Fayose’s no-case submission, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
The judge said the anti-graft agency did not provide enough evidence linking the former governor to the alleged offences, noting that neither the documents presented nor the testimony of prosecution witnesses proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
“There is no doubt he was paid, but where did the money come from?” the judge asked in reference to claims by prosecution witness Musiliu Obanikoro, a former minister. “No one can rely on the statements of Diamond Bank staff, who failed to establish any link to support their claims. I must conclude that there is no proof.”
Fayose, visibly emotional after the verdict, knelt down outside the courtroom and broke into tears, offering prayers of thanksgiving. He also praised his legal team for standing by him throughout the seven-year trial.
A Long Legal Battle
Fayose was first arraigned in 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun but the case was later reassigned to Justice Aneke.
The EFCC had accused him of receiving ₦1.2 billion in cash during his 2014 gubernatorial campaign and accepting $5 million from Obanikoro outside official banking channels. He was also accused of laundering over ₦1.6 billion using proxies and companies such as De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd.
The former governor was arraigned alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on an 11-count charge.
His lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), had argued during the no-case submission that the charges lacked merit and that no co-conspirators were charged alongside Fayose, weakening the foundation of the prosecution’s case.
“With due respect, the predicate offences on which these charges are based do not hold water,” Agabi said.
Court Finds EFCC’s Case Weak
In his judgment, Justice Aneke agreed with the defence, noting that the prosecution’s failure to charge other key individuals like Abiodun Agbele undermined the case.
The judge also pointed out that there was no credible documentary evidence supporting the EFCC’s allegations.
He ruled that criminal breach of trust and conspiracy must be proven with clarity and said that the absence of any co-conspirators in the dock was a major red flag.
Regarding the charge that Fayose failed to declare access, Justice Aneke held that such requirements only apply to public officeholders. At the time of the alleged offence, Fayose was a private citizen.
“The no-case submission succeeds. The first and second defendants are hereby discharged,” he concluded.
