A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday morning discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, of all charges in the long-running money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke upheld Fayose’s no-case submission, ruling that the EFCC failed to establish a prima facie case sufficient to require the former governor to enter a defence.

 

Fayose, who served as Ekiti State governor between 2003–2007 and again from 2014–2018, had been standing trial for several years on allegations bordering on money laundering and fraud allegedly committed during his second term in office. The EFCC had accused him of diverting public funds and receiving illicit payments running into billions of naira.

 

However, in its judgment, the court found that the prosecution’s case was riddled with inconsistencies and lacked the necessary evidence to sustain the charges. Justice Aneke ruled that the EFCC failed to link Fayose directly to any criminal act, and as such, there was no basis to continue the trial.

 

The decision marks a significant legal victory for Fayose, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Speaking outside the courtroom shortly after the verdict, Fayose said he was vindicated by the judgment and maintained that the charges were politically motivated.

 

“I have always believed in the judiciary, and today justice has prevailed,” he told reporters. “This has been a long journey, but I never lost faith that the truth would come to light.”

 

The EFCC, which first arraigned Fayose in 2018, has yet to comment on the ruling or indicate whether it intends to appeal the decision.

 

The case has drawn wide attention over the years, viewed by many as a test of Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign and the independence of its judiciary.

 

With the court’s ruling, Fayose walks free after nearly seven years of legal battles, his name cleared of the high-profile allegations that once clouded his political legacy.