The trial of former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, for alleged N6.9 billion fraud at the Federal High Court in Lagos has been adjourned to January 31 and Feb. 1.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Fayose for N6.9billion fraud and money laundering charges.
It would be recalled that the trial was to continue on Oct. 26, but due to a mix up in the date, it could not and a new trial date was to be agreed on by parties and fixed by the court.
Fayose was first arraigned on Oct. 22. 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offences.
The former governor pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018, in N50 million with sureties in like sum.
Again he was re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, on July 2, 2019, because the EFCC petition caused the case to be withdrawn. from Justice Olatoregun.
Aagin, Fayose pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted.
The case was adjourned for trial as the commission has since opened its case before Justice Aneke.
In December 2021, EFCC had called its 11th witness, one Mrs Joanne Tolulope, who had narrated how Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Fayose, bought properties worth several millions.
Trial will now continue on Jan. 31, 2023.
It would be recalled that Justice Olatoregunheard the case, the prosecution had called witnesses, from several commercial banks, as well as a former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro.
The EFCC accused the former governor and one Abiodun Agbele of being in possession of of N1.2 billion on June 17, 2014, adding that the fund was for his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti, a sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.
Fayose reportedly received a cash payment of five million dollars, (about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.
