The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday adjourned the alleged money laundering trial of former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, until Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
The case was earlier scheduled for the continuation of trial on Oct. 26, but could not proceed due to a mix-up in the date, while a new trial date was to be agreed on by parties and fixed by the court.
Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over N6.9billion fraud and money laundering charges.
He was first arraigned on Oct. 22. 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offences.
He had 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The defendant was subsequently, re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, on July 2, 2019, after the case was withdrawn from Justice Olatoregun, following EFCC’s petition.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 is still leading witnesses in evidence.
In December 2021, EFCC called its 11th witness, one Mrs Joanne Tolulope, who narrated how Abiodun Agbele, an Associate of Fayose, bought properties worth several million.
The trial will now continue on Jan. 31, 2023.
Punch/Adebukola Aluko
pub-5160901092443552
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