A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday fixed November 19, 2018 for the
\ntrial of ex-Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose to commence, after he was
\ngranted bail in the sum of N50 million.<\/p>\n
Fayose is standing trial on a charge of N6.9 billion electioneering
\ncampaign fraud.<\/p>\n
He was arraigned on Oct. 22 by the Economic and Financial Crimes
\nCommission (EFCC), alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd. on 11
\ncounts.<\/p>\n
Fayose, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and the court ordered
\nhis remand in EFCC custody and adjourned the case for hearing of his bail
\napplication.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the former governor\u2019s Defence Counsel, Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN),
\na former Attorney General of the Federation, moved a motion for the bail
\nof the accused before the court.<\/p>\n
He told the court that the application was dated Oct. 22 and brought,
\npursuant to the inherent jurisdiction of the court.<\/p>\n
Agabi argued that there was presumption of innocence of an accused until
\nguilt was established, adding that the former governor was eager to see
\nthe conclusion of the case before the court and so, would not jump bail.<\/p>\n
He told the court that Fayose willfully submitted himself to the EFCC
\nimmediately after leaving office as governor, which showed his readiness
\nto face the charges.<\/p>\n
The defence counsel urged the court to grant bail to the accused on
\nself-recognisance as a former governor.<\/p>\n
However, the Prosecutor Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), objected to the
\napplication and informed the court that a counter-affidavit in opposition
\nto bail had been filed.<\/p>\n
According to him, although bail is a constitutional right but there are
\nlimitations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe issue of presumption of innocence has to do with trial and for now,
\nno one is saying he is guilty,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The counsel said that the prosecution was also eager for an accelerated
\nhearing of the case and urged the court to order an accelerated trial.<\/p>\n
Jacobs also opposed the application for bail on self-recognisance, on the
\ngrounds that being a former governor was not a yardstick for granting bail
\nas it did not guarantee attendance of the accused in court.<\/p>\n
He expressed his concern that intelligence reports revealed that the
\naccused would interfere with witnesses and proceedings and might jump bail
\nif granted.<\/p>\n
Jacobs urged the court to refuse Fayose bail on the arguments he canvassed.
\nIn a short ruling, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun noted that the allegations
\nproffered by prosecution in its counter- affidavit were grave, but that
\nthe accused would be given a benefit of doubt.<\/p>\n
The court, consequently held that \u201cthe defendant is admitted to bail in
\nthe sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum\u201d.<\/p>\n
She added that the surety must present a bond of N50 million from a
\nreputable insurance company or a first line bank, acceptable to the court.<\/p>\n
The judge held that there must also be the production of three years tax
\nclearance, while the accused must ensure he attended court for trial
\nunfailingly, otherwise, the bond would be forfeited.<\/p>\n
The court ordered that the international passport of the accused should be
\ndeposited in the court\u2019s registry.<\/p>\n
She adjourned the case until Nov. 19 for trial.<\/p>\n
According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and Agbele were said to
\nhave taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, for purposes of funding
\nhis gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti State, which sum they
\nreasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.<\/p>\n
Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of five million dollars
\n(about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen.
\nMusiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution and
\nwhich sum exceeded the amount allowed by law.<\/p>\n
He was also alleged to have retained N300 million in his Zenith Bank
\naccount and also took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million,
\nwhich sum he ought to have known, formed part of crime proceeds.<\/p>\n
Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd. and Still Earth
\nLtd., to retain in their Zenith and FCMB accounts, the aggregate sums of
\nN851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of
\ncrime proceeds.<\/p>\n
Besides, the accused was alleged to have used the aggregate sums of about
\nN1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which sums he
\nreasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.<\/p>\n
The accused was also alleged to have used the sum of N200 million, to
\nacquire a property in Abuja, in the name of his elder sister, Moji
\nOladeji, which sum he ought to know also formed crime proceeds.<\/p>\n
The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3),
\n16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act,
\n2011.\/(NAN)<\/p>\n
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday fixed November 19, 2018 for the trial of ex-Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose to commence, after he was granted bail in the sum…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":64248,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-64247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n