EFCC ARRAIGNS TWO OVER N26M MONEY LAUNDERING, VOTE BUYING IN ABUJA
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, arraigned Esther Ashivelli Dawaki and Shehu Aliyu Fatange before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged money laundering and vote buying involving ₦26 million.
The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC charged the duo with five counts bordering on conspiracy, money laundering, and receiving cash payments above the lawful threshold. The commission alleged that Dawaki procured Fatange to accept ₦26 million in cash without passing it through a financial institution, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel M.O. Arumemi requested a trial date and their remand in custody. Defence lawyers, E.N. Ogbu and A.A. Ashat, applied orally for bail but sought that their clients be held temporarily in EFCC custody pending the determination of the bail applications.
Justice Nwite ordered Dawaki’s remand at the Suleja Correctional Centre and Fatange’s at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The matter was adjourned until Monday, September 15, 2025, for hearing of the bail applications.
The EFCC said the suspects were arrested on August 16, 2025, after being found with ₦26,463,000 concealed in a Toyota Corolla parked at a hotel in Kaduna. Fatange allegedly identified himself as the Director-General of the campaign office of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency by-election held the same day, raising suspicion that the money was meant for vote buying.
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