The EFCC re-arrests former Ekiti governor Ayodele Fayose on money laundering charges.

The EFCC re-arrests former Ekiti governor Ayodele Fayose on money laundering charges.

The EFCC re-arrests former Ekiti governor Ayodele Fayose on money laundering charges.

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NewsReport gathered that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arrested former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and his company, Spotless Limited, before a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos

On Thursday, Fayose and his company were re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on 11 counts of money laundering and asset non-declaration.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed the amended charge, dated November 24, 2021, on November 25, 2021. In the amended charge, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele, who is also standing trial on alleged money laundering offenses before another division of the court, were alleged to have on June 17, 2014, taken possession of N1.219 billion to fund Fayose’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State.

They were accused of committing criminal breaches of trust, theft, and stealing of public funds.

According to the EFCC, the offenses are contrary to sections 15(2)(d), 1 and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended, and punishable under section 15(3)(4), 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

Fayose denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all the 11 counts after which they were allowed to continue with the previously granted bail terms.

Before his re-arraignment, Mrs. Joanne Tolulope, one of the 11 witnesses being called by the EFCC, while being cross-examined by Fayose’s counsel, Ola Olanipekun (SAN), affirmed that her company, Still Earth Limited, only dealt with Mr. Abiodun Agbele, Fayose’s associate.

After the cross-examination, the EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court that a newly amended charge had been filed and he sought the court’s permission to re-arraign Fayose.

Fayose and his company were subsequently re-arraigned on the 11 counts bordering on money laundering and non-declaration of assets.

Fayose’s trial will continue on Friday before Justice Aneke, as the EFCC will be calling 12 witnesses to testify against him.