On Thursday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the alleged money laundering trial of former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, was stalled due to the absence of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, who was on an official assignment.
The proceeding has been adjourned until July 1 to allow for the continuation of the trial. Fayose is facing charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged N6.9 billion fraud and money laundering.
In the initial arraignment on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, faced 11 counts related to fraud and money laundering. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of N50 million with sureties in like sum on October 24, 2018.
The case was later transferred to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on July 2, 2019, following an EFCC petition, and Fayose maintained his not guilty plea. The trial has been ongoing, with the EFCC presenting witnesses and evidence against the defendant.
According to the charges, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and Abiodun Agbele allegedly took possession of N1.2 billion for his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti, knowing it formed part of criminal proceeds. He was also accused of receiving $5 million in cash from Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro without proper financial transaction and using N200 million to purchase a property in Abuja, among other offenses.
The actions are said to contravene sections 15(1), 15(2), 15(3), 16(2)(b), 16(d), and 18(c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.