FAYOSE FILES NO-CASE SUBMISSION IN ₦2.2BN FRAUD TRIAL, CITES LACK OF EVIDENCE
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has urged a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, to dismiss the ₦2.2 billion fraud case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), insisting he has no case to answer. Fayose’s legal team, led by Senior Advocates Kanu Agabi and Olalekan Ojo, submitted a no-case application before Justice Chukujekwu Aneke, arguing that the prosecution’s case was built entirely on speculation.
The EFCC had initially charged Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited in 2018, accusing them of benefiting from funds illicitly transferred from the Office of the National Security Adviser through Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, allegedly facilitated by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. The Commission called 20 witnesses before closing its case on February 28, 2025. However, Obanikoro, a central witness, recanted much of his earlier testimony. He told the court under oath that the funds given to Fayose were from political donations and campaign activities and not from any illicit source. He also alleged he had been coerced during the EFCC investigation.
Fayose’s legal team argued that there was no direct evidence linking the former governor to the alleged fraudulent withdrawals, noting that the names “Ayo” on bank tellers were not proven to have been written by Fayose. Multiple bank officials, including Zenith Bank staff, testified that the funds processed were not flagged as suspicious. The EFCC’s own investigation officer admitted under cross-examination that there was no record of any communication between Fayose and either Obanikoro or former NSA Sambo Dasuki. The defense also noted that a major alleged intermediary, Abiodun Agbele, was never arraigned. The court adjourned to July 10, 2025, to rule on the no-case submission.
