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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate, on Wednesday arraigned Esther Ashivelli Dawaki and Shehu Aliyu Fatange before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged involvement in vote buying and money laundering to the tune of ₦26 million.
The two defendants are facing a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering, and receiving cash payments beyond the legal threshold.
According to EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the suspects were arrested on August 16, 2025, “following credible intelligence.” He added:
“They were allegedly found in possession of ₦26,463,000 (twenty-six million, four hundred and sixty-three thousand naira), which was discovered in a 2010 Toyota Corolla belonging to Fatange and parked at a hotel premises in Kaduna.”
The anti-graft agency further disclosed that Fatange identified himself at the time of arrest as the Director-General of the campaign organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election, held the same day. The funds, EFCC alleged, were set aside for vote buying.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Esther Ashivelli Dawaki (F) and others now at large, on or about 16 August 2025, at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did procure one Shehu Aliyu Fatange (M) to commit an offence, to wit: accepting cash payment of the sum of ₦26,000,000.00 (twenty-six million naira) without going through a financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 21(c)(a) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.”
Another charge states: “That you, Shehu Aliyu Fatange (M), on or about 16 August 2025, at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did accept cash payment of the sum of ₦26,000,000.00 (twenty-six million naira), which exceeded the amount authorised by law, from one Esther Ashivelli Dawaki (F), thereby committing an offence contrary to Sections 2(1)(a) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.”
Both Dawaki and Fatange pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, prosecution counsel, M. O. Arumemi, applied for a trial date and for the defendants’ remand in custody.
Defense counsels, E. N. Ogbu and A. A. Ashat did not oppose but sought a short adjournment and urged the court to keep their clients in EFCC custody pending a ruling on bail.
Justice Nwite, however, ordered Dawaki to be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, while Fatange was remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned until Monday, September 15, 2025, for hearing on their bail applications.