Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has been discharged and acquitted of ₦6.9 billion fraud allegations by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, bringing an end to a legal battle that spanned nearly seven years.
Shortly after the verdict was delivered on Wednesday, an emotional Fayose knelt outside the courtroom, eyes filled with tears as he offered prayers of gratitude. Surrounded by jubilant supporters and members of his legal team, the ex-governor raised his hands in thanksgiving.
“This is a victory from God,” Fayose declared, visibly moved. “I have always maintained my innocence, and today justice has prevailed.”
He later broke into a spontaneous chant, singing, “Winner ooo, winner!” as he made his way out of the courthouse.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke upheld the no-case submission filed by Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Limited, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants.
The EFCC had alleged that Fayose laundered over ₦6.9 billion during his tenure as governor between 2014 and 2018. The commission claimed he received ₦1.2 billion from a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, in cash for his 2014 campaign, bypassing financial institutions. It also accused him of using proxies and companies such as De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd to launder funds.
However, Fayose’s legal counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), urged the court during the final hearing on 19 May 2025 to dismiss the charges, describing the evidence presented by the prosecution as unconvincing.
“The prosecution did not charge any co-conspirator,” Agabi argued. “The predicate offences are unproven. You cannot allege conspiracy without a second party.”
Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), counsel for Spotless Investment Limited, also supported the no-case submission, maintaining that the EFCC had failed to provide credible evidence against the company.
In response, EFCC’s counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), insisted that Fayose had questions to answer, citing suspicious transactions and testimonies from key witnesses, including Obanikoro and EFCC investigator, Abubakar Madaki. He questioned why properties allegedly linked to Fayose were not purchased in his name if the transactions were legitimate.
Justice Aneke, however, ruled that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to warrant a defence from the accused.
“The prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case,” he said before delivering his judgment that discharged and acquitted both Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited.
Reacting to the ruling, the EFCC expressed its dissatisfaction and revealed that it would file an appeal.
“We are currently reviewing the judgment and have commenced the process of filing an appeal,” said Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity at the Commission.
Despite the looming appeal, the judgment has sparked widespread reactions, especially among Fayose’s supporters and political allies, many of whom described the ruling as a restoration of the former governor’s integrity.
“Today, truth has spoken louder than propaganda,” one supporter commented outside the courthouse.
