A Federal High Court in Lagos has acquitted former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, of all fraud allegations involving N2.2 billion, marking the end of a legal battle that lasted almost seven years.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke held that the prosecution, led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), failed to establish a prima facie case against the former governor and his company, Spotless Investment Limited.
The ruling followed a no-case submission filed by Fayose’s legal team, headed by Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Kanu Agabi and Olalekan Ojo.
The EFCC had accused Fayose of receiving N2.2 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser during Colonel Sambo Dasuki’s tenure, allegedly funneled through former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, as part of campaign funding for the 2014 Ekiti State governorship election.
However, Justice Aneke agreed with the defence that none of the 13 prosecution witnesses directly linked Fayose to any criminal wrongdoing. Obanikoro himself, a key prosecution witness, told the court the funds were public campaign donations and not criminal proceeds. He also admitted during cross-examination that some of his earlier statements to the EFCC were made under duress.
Bank officials who testified during the trial confirmed that all transactions were documented and none directly involved Fayose. A branch manager from Zenith Bank clarified that the former governor never handled or deposited the funds personally.
Reacting to the verdict, Fayose said the judgment reaffirms his faith in the Nigerian judiciary.
“I have always believed in the Nigerian judiciary. Today’s decision confirms that the truth will always prevail, no matter how long it takes,” he said, reiterating that the charges against him were politically motivated due to his outspoken opposition to the then-ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after his tenure ended.
The EFCC is yet to indicate whether it will appeal the judgment.
