N2.2billion Fraud: Court docket Adjourns Ex-Governor Fayose’s Trial To July After EFCC Referred to as 20 Witnesses

The EFCC initially filed an 11-count cost towards Fayose and his firm, Spotless Funding Restricted, on October 18, 2018.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has requested the Federal Excessive Court docket in Ikoyi, Lagos State, to dismiss the N2.2billion fraud cost introduced towards him by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC), insisting he has “no case to reply.”

Fayose’s authorized crew, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) and Olalekan Ojo (SAN), made a no-case submission earlier than Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

The EFCC initially filed an 11-count cost towards Fayose and his firm, Spotless Funding Restricted, on October 18, 2018.

The anti-graft company accused him of benefiting from funds allegedly diverted by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro from Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd, an organization purportedly contracted by the then National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, however which allegedly didn’t execute any job.

The EFCC closed its case on February 28, 2025, after calling 20 witnesses, together with 9 financial institution officers.

Fayose’s counsel argued that each one prosecution witnesses and tendered reveals had been based mostly on “mere speculations” and failed to ascertain a prima facie case.

The protection identified a number of contradictions within the prosecution’s case.

Notably, Senator Obanikoro recanted key components of his earlier statements throughout his testimony, stating underneath oath that the funds he delivered to Fayose had been proceeds from fundraising and donations for the 2014 Ekiti State gubernatorial election.

He additionally revealed he was coerced and maltreated throughout EFCC interrogations and denied any official connection to Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd.

Agabi additional harassed that Abiodun Agbele, who was alleged to have dealt with the funds, was by no means arraigned, and Fayose’s identify was not listed amongst beneficiaries of the withdrawn funds as proven in Sylvan Mcnamara’s financial institution paperwork.

Financial institution officers from Zenith Bank testified that each one deposits made into Fayose’s account had been reputable and never flagged by any supervisory physique. Additionally they confirmed Fayose by no means personally made any deposits, and there was no direct hyperlink between him and the transactions.

Throughout cross-examination, the EFCC’s investigative officer, Muhammed Madaki, admitted there was no proof of communication between Fayose, Obanikoro, and Dasuki. He additionally confirmed that Dasuki’s statements weren’t shared with Fayose in the course of the investigation.

Moreover, the EFCC’s twentieth witness, Ademola Famokun, a workers of the Individuals’s Democratic Party (PDP), confirmed that the get together’s actions in the course of the 2014 election had been funded by means of donations, sale of varieties, and fundraisers — not by the NSA. He stated the funds had been handed to Obanikoro, who chaired a number of election committees, for onward supply to Fayose.

The court docket has adjourned the ruling on the no-case submission to July 10, 2025.