The money laundering trial of a former governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, before a Federal High Court in Lagos is to continue on July 14.
The trial which was earlier fixed for continuation on July 13 and July 14 could not proceed, following the absence of the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fayose is standing trial on allegations of money laundering and he is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On June 6, the 12th prosecution witness, a former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, presented his evidence before the court.
Obanikoro, who began his evidence on Jan. 31, concluded same after cross- examination by the defence.
Among other testimonies, the witness had told the court that he had no documentary evidence to show that he gave money to Fayose.
NAN reports that Fayose was first arraigned on Oct. 22, 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun.
He was charged alongside his company, Spotless Investments Ltd. on 11-count charge, bordering on money laundering offences.
Fayose had, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018 in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum.
The defendant, was however, re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on July 2, 2019 after the case was withdrawn from Justice Olatoregun, following EFCC’s petition.
He had also pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted, while the case was adjourned for trial.
The commission has since opened its case before Justice Aneke and was still leading witnesses in evidence.
In December 2021, the EFCC had called its 11th witness, one Mrs Joanne Tolulope, who had narrated how Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Fayose, bought properties worth several millions.
During the trial before Justice Olatoregun, the prosecution also called witnesses from several commercial banks as well as Obanikoro.
