Politics
Alleged Money Laundering: Fayose Has No Case To Answer, Court Tells EFCC
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, of all charges bordering on alleged money laundering and theft amounting to N6.9 billion.
The court’s decision followed the judge’s ruling in favour of Mr Fayose’s no case submission, bringing to an end a long running legal battle.
It would be recalled that on May 20, 2025, Justice Aneke had reserved ruling on the no case submission after hearing arguments from Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), counsel to Mr Fayose (the 1st defendant); Olalekan Ojo (SAN), counsel to the 2nd defendant, Spotless Investment Limited; and Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mr Fayose and his company had been re-arraigned on an 11 count charge of money laundering and theft, offences the EFCC alleged took place during his tenure as governor and involved funds linked to the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki.
Adopting the no case submission dated July 16, 2025, Chief Agabi argued that the prosecution “failed to establish a prima facie case.”
He told the court, “With due respect, the predicate offences on which these charges are based do not hold water. Criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are distinct, and no co-conspirator was charged alongside the defendant.”
He further noted that Abiodun Agbele, allegedly involved in the offences, was not jointly tried, which he said weakened the prosecution’s case and urged the court to hold that Mr Fayose had no case to answer.
Counsel for the 2nd defendant, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), also adopted a no case submission dated March 21, 2025, pointing out that key evidence by prosecution witnesses had been discredited. He highlighted the testimony of the 13th prosecution witness, former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who admitted there was no communication between Mr Fayose and the then NSA.
However, the EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the no case submissions. Adopting the commission’s counter affidavit and written address dated May 8, 2025, Jacobs argued that the defence failed to explain several suspicious transactions.
Mr Jacobs recalled evidence from EFCC investigator, Mr Abubakar Madaki, who told the court that Mr Fayose used associates to acquire multiple properties in Abuja, Lagos, and abroad—properties those associates later denied owning, but which Mr Fayose claimed in his statements.
“If the money was clean, why not buy the properties in his name?” Mr Jacobs asked.
Mr Jacobs also cited Sen. Obanikoro’s testimony that Mr Fayose requested funds in cash and introduced Mr Agbele to facilitate the handover, stressing that “the defendant has questions to answer.”
Delivering his verdict, Justice Aneke ruled that the EFCC failed to establish any prima facie case against Mr Fayose and could not provide concrete evidence linking him to the alleged crimes.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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