After six years of trial: Fayose acquitted of N2.2 billion fraud, money laundering charges

After six years of trial former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with N2.2 billion fraud and money laundering has been discharged and acquitted.

Penpushing reports that the Judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos Chukwujekwu Aneke on Wednesday, discharged and acquitted Fayose in a ruling on his no-case submission filed and argued by his counsel, Messrs Olalekan Ojo and Kanu Agabi, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

The agency through prosecutor Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had first arraigned Fayose on 11 counts of money laundering, stealing, and fraud on October 22, 2018, before trial Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Limited.

Penpushing further reports that Fayose pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on October 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum, but was however, subsequently, re-arraigned before Mr Aneke, on 2 July 2019, after the case was withdrawn from the former judge, following EFCC’s petition.

The former Governor, again, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted, and on May 20, the court reserved its ruling on a no-case submission, brought by the defence, after hearing arguments from counsel.

Penpushing also reports that, Judge Aneke, delivering ruling on Wednesday held that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the former governor, equally held that the witnesses and documentary evidence tendered by prosecution were not sufficient to establish the guilt of the defendant, and consequently discharged and acquitted Fayose of the allegations.

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