Court Acquits Fayose of N2.2 Billion Money Laundering Charges

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, of all charges in the long-standing ₦2.2 billion money laundering case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a ruling that brought the years-long legal battle to a close, the court upheld Fayose’s no-case submission, declaring that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case that warranted him entering a defence.

Delivering the ruling, the presiding judge stated that the EFCC had not presented sufficient or credible evidence directly linking Fayose to the alleged offences.

“The prosecution failed to link the defendant to the alleged crimes in a manner that warrants this court to call upon him to open his defence,” the court ruled.

Fayose was first arraigned in 2018, shortly after the end of his second term as governor, on allegations of money laundering, abuse of office, and misappropriation of public funds during his tenure. The charges were tied to campaign funds reportedly linked to arms procurement under the previous administration.

Earlier in the trial, the court had also granted Fayose leave to travel abroad for medical treatment, following an application submitted by his legal team.

The EFCC had opposed some of his travel requests in the past, but Tuesday’s ruling marked a turning point not just in the trial, but also in the former governor’s legal standing.

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Fayose’s acquittal brings to a close a case that had dragged on for nearly six years, often in the public spotlight, with intense scrutiny and political undertones.

Legal experts note that the ruling raises fresh questions about the strength and quality of investigations conducted by the EFCC, especially in politically charged cases.

As of press time, the EFCC had yet to issue an official response to the court’s decision.

Fayose, who has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, is expected to react publicly in the coming days.