The highly anticipated trial of Ayodele Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti State, is scheduled to continue on July 14 before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Initially slated for July 13 and 14, the trial faced an unexpected delay due to the absence of the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs.
As a result, the proceedings will now resume on Friday, ensuring that the legal process moves forward. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Fayose on charges of money laundering.
On June 6, the court heard testimonies from the 12th prosecution witness, former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro. Having begun his evidence on January 31, Obanikoro concluded his testimony after undergoing cross-examination by the defence.
During his appearance, the witness informed the court that he did not possess any documentary evidence to substantiate claims of giving money to Fayose.
Fayose’s legal battle began on October 22, 2018, when he was first arraigned before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun. He faced an 11-count charge, primarily centred on money laundering offences, alongside his company, Spotless Investments Ltd.
Pleading not guilty, Fayose was granted bail on October 24, 2018, with a sum of N50 million and required sureties.
News About Nigeria reports that the defendant was re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on July 2, 2019, following the EFCC’s petition and the subsequent withdrawal of the case from Justice Olatoregun.
Once again, Fayose pleaded not guilty, maintaining the earlier granted bail while the case was adjourned for trial.
The EFCC has presented its case before Justice Aneke and is currently leading witnesses in providing evidence.
In December 2021, the commission called its 11th witness, Mrs Joanne Tolulope, who detailed how Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Fayose, acquired properties worth millions.
Throughout the trial before Justice Olatoregun, the prosecution summoned witnesses from various commercial banks and enlisted the testimony of Obanikoro.
According to the charges, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and Abiodun Agbele allegedly took custody of N1.2 billion to fund Fayose’s gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti State.
Recall that, Fayose purportedly received a cash payment of $5 million (equivalent to about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Obanikoro, without utilizing any financial institution.
The former governor also allegedly retained N300 million in his account and assumed control of approximately N622 million, which he reasonably should have known was derived from illegal activities.
Additionally, Fayose is accused of employing De Privateer Ltd. and Still Earth Ltd. to retain a total of N851 million, which they ought to have known was connected to criminal proceeds.
Apart from these charges, Fayose is alleged to have used approximately N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which he reasonably should have known were derived from illicit sources.
Furthermore, he purportedly utilized N200 million to obtain a property in Abuja under the name of his elder sister, Moji Oladeji, an act that also falls under the category of illegal gains.
The offences committed by Fayose 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)
