Court Acquits Former Ekiti Governor Fayose of Money Laundering Charges

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, of all charges in the protracted N2.2 billion money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Delivering judgment on Tuesday morning, the court upheld Fayose’s no-case submission, ruling that the anti-graft agency failed to present sufficient evidence linking the former governor to the alleged offences.

“The prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case that would warrant the defendant to enter a defence,” the court held.

Fayose had been standing trial for several years on allegations of financial mismanagement and laundering of state funds during his tenure as governor. However, the judge concluded that the EFCC did not substantiate the claims with credible evidence.

In a related decision earlier during proceedings, the court also granted Fayose permission to travel abroad for medical treatment, following an application by his legal team.

The ruling brings an end to one of the country’s longest-running corruption trials involving a former state governor.