Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 15, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose will be told his fate in the nearly seven-year-old N6.9 billion fraud case.
Fayose’s legal team submitted a “no case submission,” which will be decided by Justice Chukujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Due to the judge’s absence, the decision was postponed from its planned July 10 date.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an 11-count complaint against Fayose and his business, Spotless Investment Limited.
According to the EFCC, Fayose stole $5 million in cash from former Minister Musiliu Obanikoro and received N1.2 billion to finance his 2014 election campaign without going through financial institutions.
At the last hearing on May 19, Fayose’s lead lawyer, Chief Kalu Agabi (SAN), said the prosecution failed to prove a case.
He argued, “All the witnesses and exhibits were based on mere speculation and do not justify continuing the trial.”
Agabi also pointed out that a key figure in the case, Abiodun Agbele, was not charged alongside Fayose.
He added that; “criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are different charges, and no co-conspirator was charged with my client.”
Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the EFCC’s attorney, requested that the court reject the no-case argument.
He questioned why Fayose did not use his personal bank accounts if the money was real and claimed that the accused had not provided an explanation for the strange financial transactions.
Whether Fayose is released from the accusations or is required to open his defense will depend on the court’s ruling.
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