The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to appeal the acquittal of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who was discharged on Wednesday by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, in a case involving an alleged N6.9 billion fraud and money laundering.

In a statement issued by the agency on Wednesday, the EFCC said it is carefully studying the judgment and has begun preparations to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

“Sequel to the judgment of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, acquitting and discharging a former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayo Fayose, from an alleged money laundering case preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Commission wishes to state that it is already studying the ruling and preparing for an appeal,” the statement added.

Fayose, alongside Spotless Investment Limited, was accused of laundering N6.9 billion by the EFCC.

The trial, which spanned several years, was marked by a series of legal arguments and adjournments.

When the case resumed on Wednesday, Fayose was discharged and acquitted of all money laundering charges by the Federal High Court in Lagos, bringing an end to his prolonged legal battle with the EFCC.

The court upheld Fayose’s no-case submission, declaring that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him and therefore had no grounds to continue the trial.

In its ruling, the court stated that the evidence presented by the anti-graft agency was insufficient to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt, and ruled in favour of the former governor’s request to dismiss the case without entering a defence.

“The EFCC reaffirms its commitment to the rule of law as it briefs its counsel to appeal the judgment,” the agency said.

This development comes weeks after President Bola Tinubu met with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Fayose, and other prominent chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Apart from Fayose, others in attendance included Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).

The closed-door meeting followed Fayose’s visit to President Tinubu at his residence in Lagos during the Sallah break on June 9.

Speaking to journalists after that visit, Fayose said he came to encourage the president and expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership.Freelance writing jobs board

He noted that despite being a PDP member, he had always believed in Tinubu’s capacity, even during his tenure as Lagos State governor.

Fayose also commended the president’s efforts at stabilising Nigeria’s economy, saying Tinubu deserved support across party lines.

On June 25, 2025, SaharaReporters reported fresh concerns that the Nigerian government was scheming to abandon the high-profile money laundering case against Fayose, despite what insiders described as overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing.

SaharaReporters was reliably informed by top sources close to the case that the government, through its prosecutorial agencies, was allegedly working behind the scenes to ensure the case collapsed at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Fayose, who served as governor from 2014 to 2018, was standing trial on an 11-count charge of money laundering in Charge No: FHC/L/353C/2018, brought by the EFCC.

He was accused of receiving ₦2.2 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) during the 2014 Ekiti governorship election, funds which prosecutors alleged were diverted for personal gain rather than used for his campaign.

Fayose, who was first arraigned in 2018 and subsequently re-arraigned on July 2, 2019, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Limited, faced an 11-count charge related to money laundering and stealing the sum of N6.9 billion.
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