The alleged money laundering trial of a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, could not proceed on Thursday before the Federal High Court in Lagos, as the court did not sit.
“The trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, was said to be on an official assignment. The case was then adjourned till July 1 for the continuation of trial,” a court official announced.
Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged N6.9 billion fraud and money laundering.
“He was first arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd., on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offences,” the official said.
“He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on October 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum.”
“The defendant was re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on July 2, 2019, after the case was withdrawn from Justice Olatoregun, following the EFCC’s petition.”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 is still leading witnesses in evidence. The trial will now continue on the next adjourned date.”