25th April, 2024
The trial of former Governor of Ekiti State Ayodele Fayose for money laundering could not continue at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi because the trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke was absent.
Court officials said Justice Aneke was on an official assignment, so the matter had to be tentatively adjourned till July 1, 2024.
Fayose alongside Spotless Investment Ltd, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering worth N6.9 billion
In the 11-count charge preferred against Fayose, the former governor and one of his aides, Abioduln Agbele, are alleged to have on 17 June 2014, taken unlawful possession of N1.2 billion to fund his governorship election campaign in Ekiti State.
Fayose, according to the EFCC also received a cash payment of five million dollars, from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.
The EFCC also said Fayose retained the sum of N300 million in his account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million.
These alleged offences among others in the charge, EFCC said, were in contravention of
sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d) and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011.