By Peter Omopo
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has filed a no-case submission before the Federal High Court in Lagos, arguing that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has failed to establish a prima facie case against him in the ongoing N6.9 billion fraud trial.
At Monday’s proceedings, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke heard arguments on the application and reserved his ruling for a later date.
Fayose, who is standing trial alongside his company, Spotless Investment Limited, is facing an 11-count charge of alleged stealing and money laundering, pressed by the EFCC through its lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).
Represented by a former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), Fayose argued that the prosecution’s case lacked merit and failed to link him to any criminal activity. Agabi, in the no-case submission dated July 16, 2025, questioned why Abiodun Agbele, a key figure in the alleged transactions, was not charged alongside the former governor.
“The predicate offences on which these charges are based do not hold water,” Agabi said. “Criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are distinct charges, and no co-conspirator was docked with the defendant.”
Counsel for Spotless Investment Limited, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), also adopted the no-case submission filed on March 21 and backed by further documents submitted on May 16. Ojo challenged the credibility of the prosecution’s 13th witness, former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, citing inconsistencies in his testimony.
According to Ojo, Obanikoro admitted under cross-examination that there was no direct link between Fayose and the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, casting doubt on the EFCC’s central claims.
However, the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the no-case submissions, insisting that sufficient evidence had been presented to warrant a full trial.
Justice Aneke is expected to deliver his ruling on the submissions in due course.
