The Federal High Court in Lagos has discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose of money laundering charges. The court ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to establish a prima facie case against Fayose, meaning they didn’t provide enough evidence to link him to the alleged crimes.
Fayose was accused of money laundering and theft amounting to ₦6.9 billion during his tenure as governor. However, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke upheld Fayose’s no-case submission, stating that the EFCC’s evidence was insufficient to sustain the charges. The court noted that the EFCC failed to link Fayose to the alleged crimes and didn’t provide enough evidence to warrant further defense.
The EFCC had alleged that Fayose took possession of ₦1.2 billion for his 2014 gubernatorial campaign and received $5 million in cash from a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro. However, the court found that the prosecution failed to provide credible evidence to support these claims.
Fayose was initially arraigned in 2018 on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering and theft. Throughout the trial, the EFCC presented several witnesses and evidence, but the court ultimately found it insufficient to prove the allegations. The court’s decision effectively means that Fayose has no case to answer, and he is discharged and acquitted of all charges.
This ruling brings an end to the long-running money laundering case against Fayose. The court’s decision is a significant victory for the former governor, who had maintained his innocence throughout the trial. The ruling also highlights the challenges faced by the EFCC in prosecuting high-profile cases, particularly when it comes to proving allegations of corruption and money laundering.
The EFCC’s failure to provide sufficient evidence in this case raises questions about the agency’s ability to effectively investigate and prosecute corruption cases. It also underscores the importance of thorough investigations and gathering credible evidence to support allegations of corruption and other financial crimes.
In the end, the court’s decision in favor of Fayose serves as a reminder that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, and that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The ruling also highlights the need for the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies to be more diligent in their investigations and prosecutions to ensure that justice is served.
