N2.2billion Fraud: Court Adjourns Ex-Governor Fayose’s Trial To July After EFCC Called 20 Witnesses

The EFCC initially filed an 11-count charge against Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Limited, on October 18, 2018.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has asked the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State, to dismiss the N2.2billion fraud charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), insisting he has “no case to answer.”

Fayose’s legal team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) and Olalekan Ojo (SAN), made a no-case submission before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

The EFCC initially filed an 11-count charge against Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Limited, on October 18, 2018.

The anti-graft agency accused him of benefiting from funds allegedly diverted by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro from Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd, a company purportedly contracted by the then National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, but which allegedly failed to execute any job.

The EFCC closed its case on February 28, 2025, after calling 20 witnesses, including nine bank officials.

Fayose’s counsel argued that all prosecution witnesses and tendered exhibits were based on “mere speculations” and failed to establish a prima facie case.

The defense pointed out several contradictions in the prosecution’s case.

Notably, Senator Obanikoro recanted key parts of his earlier statements during his testimony, stating under oath that the funds he delivered to Fayose were proceeds from fundraising and donations for the 2014 Ekiti State gubernatorial election.

He also revealed he was coerced and maltreated during EFCC interrogations and denied any official connection to Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd.

Agabi further stressed that Abiodun Agbele, who was alleged to have handled the funds, was never arraigned, and Fayose’s name was not listed among beneficiaries of the withdrawn funds as shown in Sylvan Mcnamara’s bank documents.

Bank officials from Zenith Bank testified that all deposits made into Fayose’s account were legitimate and not flagged by any supervisory body. They also confirmed Fayose never personally made any deposits, and there was no direct link between him and the transactions.

During cross-examination, the EFCC’s investigative officer, Muhammed Madaki, admitted there was no evidence of communication between Fayose, Obanikoro, and Dasuki. He also confirmed that Dasuki’s statements were not shared with Fayose during the investigation.

Additionally, the EFCC’s 20th witness, Ademola Famokun, a staff of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), confirmed that the party’s activities during the 2014 election were funded through donations, sale of forms, and fundraisers — not by the NSA. He said the funds were handed to Obanikoro, who chaired multiple election committees, for onward delivery to Fayose.

The court has adjourned the ruling on the no-case submission to July 10, 2025.