A federal high court sitting in Lagos has fixed July 10 for ruling on a no-case submission filed by the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, in his trial over money laundering and fraud allegations.
The presiding judge, Chukwujekwu Aneke, reserved ruling after hearing arguments from counsel in the case yesterday.
It will be recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Fayose and his company on an 11-count charge of money laundering to the tune of 6.9 billion naira allegedly committed when he was the governor.
The anti-graft agency, on October 18, 2018, preferred the 11-count charge against Fayose and his company, stating that Musiliu Obanikoro, the former Minister of State for Defence, allegedly withdrew and delivered about 2.2 billion naira from a company (Sylvan McNamara) that failed to carry out jobs approved by the then National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.
Counsel to the former governor, Kanu Agabi, while making a no-case submission, argued that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against Fayose.
The counsel argued that Abiodun Agbele, who allegedly played a central role in the transactions, was not charged alongside Fayose, weakening the EFCC’s case.