Fayose: granted permission to travel abroad for medical treatment

By Akin Kuponiyi

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Friday granted permission to former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Fayose is standing trial for alleged money laundering of N2.2 billion.

The presiding judge, Chukwjekwu Aneke granted the order following an application filed before the court by Fayose’s lawyer, Ola Olanipekun (SAN).

The EFCC’s prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) did not oppose the request, thereafter, Justice Aneke adjourned the case till January 22, 2021 for continuation of trial.

Fayose is standing trial alongside a company called Spotless Investment Limited, for alleged laundering of N2.2 billion.

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In the charges, filed against the former Governor of Ekiti State, by the anti graft agency, the EFCC alleged, among other things, that Fayose, on June 17, 2014, “took possession of the sum of N1, 219, 000,000 to fund his 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, which he reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

The ex-governor was also alleged to have on the same day “received a cash payment of $5,000,000 from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the then Minister of State for Defence, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 1 and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.”

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The EFCC also alleged that Fayose purchased a property at No. 44, Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja for N200 million in the name of “his elder sister, Mrs Moji Oladeji.”

Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited pleaded not guilty to the charge. They are currently on bail.