Fayose being investigated for N6.9bn fraud, others –EFCC

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Friday, told a Federal High Court in Lagos that former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, who is facing a N6.9 billion fraud case before the court, was being investigated for other matters.

Fayose was billed for re-arraignment before Justice Aneke on Friday, but EFCC counsel, Mr S.A. Obafemi, prayed the court to adjourn the case, saying that the commission was still investigating the defendant for other matters.

Obafemi said there are no clear directives from the commission on the steps to take.

“The matter is coming up for the first time before this court, and the information we gathered from our client, EFCC, is that the first defendant  (Fayose) is still being investigated for other matters.

“The arraignment will not be possible this morning as we are yet to hear from the complainant on further steps to be taken,” he said.

He said the main Prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), was absent in court as a result of the situation and urged the court to adjourn the case.

Responding, Defence Counsel, Messrs Ola Olanipekun (SAN) and Olalekan Ojo (SAN), opposed the request for adjournment.

They said there must be an end to litigation as the charge cannot lie before the court in perpetuity.

Ojo said: “The prosecutor has cited no law to back up this strange proposition of having this arraignment postponed just because the prosecution is investigating the defendant for other cases.

“The court has a mandatory duty to prevent persecution of any criminal defendant, as this is the only way the integrity of the criminal justice system can be guaranteed,” he said.

He urged the court to order that the charge should be read over to Fayose.

In a ruling, the judge frowned at the request for adjournment on the grounds that the case was transferred to the court and was slated for re-arraignment.

The judge, however, said since it was not the main prosecutor (Jacobs) who appeared in the case, he would grant an adjournment in the interest of justice.

He adjourned the case until July 2 for re-arraignment.

EFCC was charged Fayose alongside a company, Spotless Investment LTD, on 11 counts bordering on N6.9 million fraud and money laundering.

The former governor was first arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun.

He pleaded not guilty, and was granted bail on October 24, in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

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