Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti State, is facing charges of money laundering and theft in his trial worth $6.9 billion, but the Federal High Court in Lagos has reserved its decision.
After hearing arguments from Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, representor of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, and Olalekan Ojo, SAN, represent the second defendant, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, heard from Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.
The EFCC re-arraigned Fayose and his business on an 11-count charge that included money laundering and theft.
Funds allegedly linked to the former National Security Advisor’s office were the alleged victims, who were also victims of the alleged crimes committed while Fayose was governor.
READ MORE: FG To Sell 753-Unit Housing Estate Recovered From Emefiele
According to Chief Agabi, the prosecution allegedly failed to establish a prima facie case in response to his client’s no-case submission from July 16, 2025.
He noted that the prosecution’s case was weakened by the fact that Abiodun Agbele, who was allegedly involved in the crimes, was not jointly tried.
The predicate offenses, on which these charges are based, are incontestable, with due respect. No co-conspirator was charged alongside the defendant, Agabi claimed, and criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are distinct.
He urged the court to accept that Fayose has no legal argument to address.
Similar to this, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, the second defendant’s attorney, filed a no-case submission on March 21, 2025, and the supporting documents on May 16.
He argued that important prosecution witness testimony was discredited, particularly that of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a former minister of state for defense, who claimed there was no communication between Fayose and then-NSA Col. Sambo Dasuki.
Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the EFCC’s attorney, urged the court to reject the no-case arguments in response.
He argued that the defense failed to explain the suspicious transactions by adopting the prosecution’s counteraffidavit and written address from May 8, 2025.
Jacobs questioned Fayose’s refusal to transfer funds from his account if they were legitimate.
He recalls testimony from EFCC investigator Abubakar Madaki, who claimed Fayose purchased numerous properties in Abuja, Lagos, and other locations while later claiming they were owned by Fayose in a statement.
Why not purchase the properties in his name if the money was safe? Jacobs inquired.
He also made mention of Obanikoro’s assertion that Fayose requested the funds in cash and introduced Agbele to facilitate the handover, underscoring that the defendant has questions to ask and to respond.
Following the submissions, Chief Agabi requested and obtained permission to travel to other countries for medical reasons.
Justice Aneke extended the case’s hearing until July 10, 2025, so that the decision on the no-case submission was final.
Fayose was initially deposed in 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, but the EFCC later secured Justice Aneke’s release.
allegedly bypassing financial institutions, Fayose allegedly obtained $1.2 billion from Obanikoro for his 2014 gubernatorial campaign and allegedly obtained $5.5 million in cash from him.
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply