The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it will appeal the Federal High Court’s decision acquitting former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, of ₦6.9 billion fraud charges.
In a statement shared via its official X handle on Wednesday, July 16, the anti-graft agency confirmed it was reviewing the judgement delivered by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke and preparing to challenge it in court.
“The Commission wishes to state that it is already studying the ruling and preparing for an appeal,” the EFCC said.
Fayose, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Limited, had been re-arraigned on July 2, 2019, on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering and stealing. The case, initially filed in 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, was later reassigned to Justice Aneke.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Aneke upheld a no-case submission filed by Fayose’s counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), and discharged both defendants, citing the prosecution’s failure to establish a prima facie case.
The judge held that no prosecution witness or document presented in court successfully linked Fayose to the alleged offences. He also pointed out that the predicate offences lacked substance.
READ ALSO: Court Discharges Fayose of ₦6.9bn Money Laundering Charges
“There is no doubt he was paid, but where did the money come from?” Justice Aneke asked, questioning the credibility of testimonies, including that of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro who claimed to have handed Fayose funds.
He also dismissed charges of failure to declare assets, noting that Fayose, at the time, was a private citizen.
“The no-case submission succeeds. The first and second defendants are hereby discharged,” he ruled.
Fayose, visibly moved by the judgement, broke down in tears outside the courtroom. He knelt in gratitude, praising God and thanking his legal team for their support during the seven-year trial.
Throughout the proceedings, he maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to charges that included receiving ₦1.2 billion and $5 million in cash from Senator Obanikoro and laundering ₦1.6 billion through proxies.