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 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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