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Ex-governor Fayose’s N6.9 billion fraud trial stalled over absence of EFCC counsel

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ALLEDGED N6.9bn FRAUD: EFCC opens trial against Fayose

The ongoing trial of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, was on Tuesday adjourned following the absence of the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs.

Ayodele Fayose, is standing trial for a N6.9 billion fraud charge brought against him and his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, the judge at the Federal High Court in LAGOS, made the adjournment after waiting for over an hour for EFCC’s counsel.

At the last adjourned date, Jacobs had asked the court to adjourn proceedings to enable the prosecution to determine whether one of its witnesses in the matter, Adewale Aladegbola, a driver with Zenith Bank branch in Ado-Ekiti, would be declared hostile to enable the prosecution to make necessary applications before the court.

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When the matter was called for the commencement of proceedings on Tuesday at 1 p.m, the prosecuting counsel was still absent from court.

Counsels to the defendants, Ola Olaonipekun and Olawale Ojo, asked the judge to stand down the matter for an hour to enable the prosecution get to court from his earlier engagement.

The fraud case against Fayose and his company entered trial since November last year. The accused are facing an 11-count charge.

Fayose was arraigned on Oct. 22, 2018, on an 11-count charge of conspiracy and laundering of N6.9billion. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

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