Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has been cleared of all money laundering and fraud charges by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
On Wednesday, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke delivered the ruling, discharging and acquitting Mr Fayose after upholding a no-case submission filed by his legal team. The judge stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had failed to provide sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the former governor.
Fayose had been facing trial over allegations of money laundering and financial misconduct linked to his time in office as governor of Ekiti State. The charges were brought forward by the EFCC, which accused him of mismanaging public funds during his tenure.
However, the court found that the prosecution did not present enough credible evidence to require Fayose to open his defence. Justice Aneke ruled that there was no solid basis for the case to proceed, effectively bringing the long-standing trial to an end.
The no-case submission is a legal argument used in criminal trials where the defendant claims the prosecution has not made out a case that requires a response. In this instance, the court agreed with Fayose’s counsel, stating that the EFCC failed to prove any wrongdoing on the part of the former governor.
This ruling marks a significant legal victory for Fayose, who has long maintained that the charges were politically motivated. His acquittal puts to rest years of legal battles and public scrutiny surrounding the case.
The EFCC had initially charged Fayose with several counts related to fraud and money laundering, alleging that he benefited from illegal funds during his time in office. The case had drawn considerable public attention, given Fayose’s profile as a prominent political figure in Nigeria.
With the court’s ruling, Fayose is now free of all legal burdens in connection to this case. The judgment also raises questions about the quality of evidence and prosecution methods used in high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria. The EFCC has not immediately announced whether it plans to appeal the decision.
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