We are still investigating Fayose for other suspected crimes, EFCC tells court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has demanded more time from the Federal High Court in Lagos to conduct more investigation on former governor, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State to ensure he is properly prosecuted.

Fayose who was billed for re-arraignment before Justice Aneke on Friday is facing a case of alleged N6.9 billion fraud before the court.

However, counsel to the EFCC, Mr S.A. Obafemi, prayed the court to adjourn the case, saying that the commission was still investigating the defendant for other matters.

“The matter is coming up for the first time before this court, and the information we gathered from our client, EFCC, is that the first defendant (Fayose) is still being investigated for other matters.

“The arraignment will not be possible this morning as we are yet to hear from the complainant on further steps to be taken,” he said.

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According to Obafemi, the main prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), was absent in court as a result of the situation.

He urged the court to adjourn the case.

In his response, the defence counsel, Messrs Ola Olanipekun (SAN) and Olalekan Ojo (SAN) opposed the request for adjournment, arguing that there must be an end to litigation as the charge cannot lie before the court in perpetuity.

Ojo said: “The prosecutor has cited no law to back up this strange proposition of having this arraignment postponed just because the prosecution is investigating the defendant for other cases.

“The court has a mandatory duty to prevent persecution of any criminal defendant, as this is the only way the integrity of the criminal justice system can be guaranteed,” he said.

In a ruling, the judge frowned at the request for adjournment on the grounds that the case was transferred to the court and was slated for re-arraignment.

The judge, however, said that since it was not the main prosecutor (Jacobs) who appeared in the case, he would grant an adjournment in the interest of justice.

He adjourned the case until July 2 for re-arraignment of Fayose.

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