N7 Billion Fraud: Judge’s absence stalls Fayose’s trial
The money laundering trial of ex-Governor Ayo Fayose at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court has been stalled.
The trial, fixed for continuation on Monday, could not proceed as the trial judge Chukwujekwu Aneke was said to be attending a conference.
The parties will now agree on a new date.
Mr Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for N6.9 billion fraud and money laundering charges.
He was first arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offences.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted N50 million bail with sureties on October 24, 2018.
The defendant was, however, subsequently re-arraigned before Mr Aneke on July 2, 2019, after the case was withdrawn from Ms Olatoregun, following EFCC’s petition.
He had also pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted while the case was adjourned for trial.
The EFCC has since opened its case before Mr Aneke and is still leading witnesses in evidence.
In December 2021, the anti-graft agency called its 11th witness, Joanne Tolulope, who narrated how Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Mr Fayose, bought properties worth several millions of naira.
(NAN)
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