The federal high court in Lagos has granted the request of Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti state, to travel abroad for medical treatment as he claimed to be sick.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned the former governor for alleged money laundering on Tuesday.
The court had, on Friday, adjourned Fayose’s re-arraignment till July 2.
The case was assigned to Chukwujekwu Aneke after 13 witnesses testified against the lack of confidence in Mojisola Olatoregun, the judge who was previously presiding over the case.
Ola Olanipekun, Fayose’s lawyer, pleaded with the judge to enable the former governor to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Aneke granted the application and ordered that Fayose must return his international passport to the court on or before September 16.
The case has been adjourned to September 16 for trial.
Fayose was first arraigned with his company, Spotless limited, in October last year, on an 11-count charge of receiving cash payment of $5 million from Musiliu Obanikoro, the minister of state for defence, at the time without going through any financial institution.
EFCC said that the sum exceeded the amount allowed by law.
Fayose and one Agbele were also alleged to have taken possession of N1.2 billion for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign.
It also said that Fayose retained N300 million in his bank account and took control of N622 million, which sums, he ought to know, formed part of crime proceeds.
It equally alleged that Fayose procured De Privateer Ltd. and Still Earth Ltd. to retain in their bank accounts, the aggregate sum of N851 million which formed part of crime proceeds.
The EFCC said that Fayose used N1.6 billion to acquire property in Lagos and Abuja, adding that the sum was part of crime proceeds.
It added that the former governor used N200 million, which was part of crime proceeds, to acquire a property in Abuja in the name of his elder sister, Moji Oladeji.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Aneke adjourned the case to September 16 for trial.
Photo Credit: Legit
