The Federal High Court in Lagos has discharged former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose of all charges in the ₦6.9 billion money laundering and theft case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke upheld Fayose’s no-case submission on Tuesday, ruling that the EFCC failed to establish any link between the defendant and the alleged crimes, nor did it present a prima facie case warranting his defence.
The court’s decision marks the end of a prolonged legal battle that began in 2018, when Fayose was first arraigned before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun before the case was reassigned to Justice Aneke.
The EFCC had accused Fayose of receiving ₦1.2 billion in campaign funds in 2014 and accepting $5 million in cash from former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, bypassing financial institutions. The prosecution also alleged that he laundered funds through companies such as De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd to acquire properties.
Fayose, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, faced an 11-count charge. However, his legal team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), argued that the prosecution’s case was fundamentally flawed, citing the absence of key co-conspirators like Abiodun Agbele in the trial.
“With due respect, the predicate offences on which these charges are based do not hold water,” Agabi submitted. “Criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are distinct, and no co-conspirator was charged alongside the defendant.”
Justice Aneke agreed with the defence, stating that the EFCC failed to prove any wrongdoing or establish sufficient evidence to continue the trial.
Fayose’s discharge comes amid renewed scrutiny of high-profile prosecutions and calls for judicial reforms to address delays and outcomes in corruption-related cases.
