Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, upheld the no-case submission filed by a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Fayose and a firm, Spotless Investment Limited, on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun over allegations bordering on stealing and money laundering.

Following the retirement of Justice Olatoregun, the case file was reassigned to another judge.The anti-graft agency, however, re-arraigned him on July 2, 2019, on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering and stealing to the tune of N6.9 billion before Justice Aneke.

Fayose pleaded not guilty to all the counts, and the prosecution commenced trial. It was after the close of the prosecution’s case that he filed a no-case submission.

However, at the last proceeding on May 19, 2025, the defendant’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), had argued the no-case submission dated May 16, 2025, and further submitted that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against his client (Fayose).

He also told the court that Abiodun Agbele, whom he described as a co-conspirator in the alleged transaction, was not charged alongside Fayose.

Also, counsel to the second defendant, Spotless Investment Limited, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had adopted the no-case submission of his client. In response to their application, the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the no-case submissions.

However, Justice Aneke, in his ruling yesterday, held that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants and, therefore, discharged and acquitted them.

Meanwhile, the EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the agency would study the ruling and prepare for an appeal.