A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, of all charges in his N2.2 billion fraud case.

The court on Tuesday morning freed Fayose, upholding a no-case submission
in the long-standing money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“The court upheld Fayose’s no-case submission, effectively ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him to warrant further defence,” a report read.

Fayose had been standing trial on allegations bordering on money laundering and fraud during his tenure as the governor of Ekiti State.

The EFCC had arrested and detained Fayose in October 2016, with the anti-graft agency asking him to explain his role in the alleged receipt of N1.2 billion from a former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, through a former minister of state for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.

The money was allegedly given to him in the buildup to the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State. Fayose’s aide, Abiodun Agbele, and others had already been arraigned by the EFCC, while as governor, his immunity from prosecution lasted. He was also wanted over alleged contract fraud.