EFCC rearraigns Fayose over ‘money laundering’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rearraigned Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti, over allegations of money laundering.

The EFCC had arraigned Fayose in October 2018 alongside his company, Spotless Investment Limited, on 11 counts bordering on alleged fraud and money laundering offences.

Fayose is accused of taking N2.2 billion from the office of Sambo Dasuki, ex-national security adviser (NSA), for his governorship election in 2014.

At a federal high court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, Rotimi Jacobs, the EFCC counsel, informed the court of an amended charge dated November 24 and filed on November 25. He then sought permission to rearraign the defendant.

In the amended charge, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele, who is also standing trial on alleged money laundering offences before another federal high court, were alleged to have on June 17, 2014, taken possession of N1.219 billion to fund Fayose’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State.

They were accused of committing criminal breach of trust, theft, and stealing public funds.

According to the EFCC, the offences are contrary to sections 15(2)(d), 1 and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended, and punishable under section 15(3)(4), 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all 11 counts.

They were allowed to continue with the previously granted bail terms.