By Francis IWUCHUKWU
The former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose was today re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Fayose was re-arraigned alongside his company, Spotless Limited on an amended 11 counts charge dated November 24, 2021, and filed on November 25, 2021.
The former governor is currently answering questions to the money laundering charge slammed against him before the same judge.
According to the amended charge, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele who is also standing trial on alleged money laundering offences before another division of the 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.
The duo was further accused of committing criminal breach of trust, theft and stealing of public funds.
They were equally alleged to have on the same June 17, 2014, without going through financial institutions, received the sum of $5 million from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro who was then Minister of State for Defence.
The anti-graft agency particularly accused the former governor to have on April 7, 2015, retained the sum of N300 million, in his fixed deposit account number 9013074033 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc.
Fayose and his company, Spotless Limited were also alleged to have between June 17 and August 4, 2014, taken control of the sum of N317 million, and deposited the same in his Zenilth Bank Plc with the account number 1010170969.
Fayose was further alleged to have between June 26 and August 27, 2014, taken control of the sum of N305, 760 million, which formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act, and in his Zenith Bank account number 1003126654, whilst also being accused of procuring Abiodun Agbele and a company, De-privateer Limited, to retain the sum of N719, 490 million in Zenith Bank account number 1013835889.
The Commission also accused the former governor of using the sum of N270 million and N1.151,711,573 billion respectively, to acquire properties at Plot 1504, Yedsema Street, Maitama, Abuja from one Rabi Kundili, and Chalets 3, 4, 6 and 9, at Plot 100, Tiyamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the name of JJ Technical Services.
Fayose was also alleged to have between October 16 and December 31, 2018, failed to declare his assets and properties by not completing the declaration form during investigation.
The offences, according to the EFCC 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.
He was also alleged to have acted contrary to section 27(1)(3)(c) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.
But Fayose pleaded not guilty to the 11 counts charge.
The former governor’s trial continues tomorrow.
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