Akin Kuponiyi
A federal high court sitting in Lagos today discharged the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele FAYOSE, of money laundering charges.
The presiding Judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, set free former Ekiti State governor, on an 11-count charge of money laundering and stealing to the tune of N6.9billion, ruling that he has no case to answer.
Elated Fayose, who burst into tears before his team of lawyers led by Olalekan Ojo, SAN, said God has finally let him off the hook of criminal trial after seven years.
The EFCC had, on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, re-arraigned Fayose and a limited liability company, Spotless Investment Limited, on an 11-count charge of money laundering and stealing to the tune of N6.9billion.
The defendants were first arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.
Discharging Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited, the 2nd defendant, in the epic trial
Justice Aneke upheld no no-case submission of Fayose’s lawyer because the predicate offences on which the charges were based did not hold water.
The judge further ruled that criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are distinct charges, and no co-conspirator was docked with the defendant.
According to the judge, the evidence of prosecution witnesses was not reliable and was not sufficient evidence to call Fayose to trial, adding that they had no document to back up their claims.
The judge also held that one of the witnesses, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who claimed to have paid Fayose from party money, was not substantiated.
“There was no doubt he was paid, but where does the money come from. No one will rely on Diamond Bank staff who did not produce any link to prove their claim. I am bound to hold that there is no proof. Alleged charges must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt”.
The judge further ruled that on the Access declaration charge, as at the time of arraignment of Fayose, he was an ordinary citizen and could not be held responsible for failure to declare his access as it is mandatory for public officers.
“No case submission succeeded. The 1st and 2nd Defendants are hereby discharged.
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