JUDGE’S ABSENCE HALTS FAYOSE’S FRAUD TRIAL

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By Agency Report

The money laundering trial of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, was on Monday, stalled before a Federal High Court in Lagos as the trial court did not sit.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is suing Fayose over allegations of fraud and money laundering involving N6.9 billion.

The trial, which was scheduled to continue on Monday, was unable to continue because the trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, was reportedly at a conference.

According to The News Agency of Nigeria, the prosecution had called witnesses from various commercial banks as well as a former minister of state for defense, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, during the trial before Justice Olatoregun.

The accusation alleges that on June 17, 2014, Fayose and a man named Abiodun Agbele took possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, which they allegedly knew, or should have known, was part of the proceeds of a crime, in order to finance Fayose’s gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti.

It was claimed that without going through a financial institution, Fayose received a cash payment from Obanikoro in the amount of $5 million (or around N1.8 billion).

He was also accused of keeping N300 million in his account and taking possession of the aggregate sums of N622 million, knowing full well that these funds were part of the proceeds of crime.

He was also accused of keeping N300 million in his account and taking possession of the aggregate sums total of N622 million, knowing full well that these funds were part of the proceeds of crime.

Additionally, it was claimed that the defendant was alleged to have use the aggregate sums N1.6 billion to buy homes in Lagos and Abuja, sums that he had a reasonable expectation they were part of crime proceeds

Additionally, he was accused of using N200 million to aqcuire a property in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, in the name of a relative.

The offences contravene the provisions of sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

The trial will continue on the next adjourned date.

NAN