Court remands Fayose, hears bail request tomorrow

A Federal High Court presided over by Justice Mojisola Olatoregun yesterday ordered the remand in Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody of the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Peter Ayodele Fayose, till tomorrow when his bail application would be argued.

The judge made the order after the accused, who is standing trial in a N6.9 billon fraud suit preferred against him by the anti-graft agency, pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge.

Fayose is being tried alongside his company, Spotless Investment Nigeria Limited, and one Abiodun Agbele who was absent yesterday.

After the charge was read to the ex-governor, the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, prayed the court for a trial date and Fayose’s remand pending the conclusion of trial.

The defendant’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) did not oppose the request but quickly informed the trial judge that he had filed a motion for bail on behalf of his client and served same on the prosecution. He therefore urged the court to hear the motion.

The EFCC counsel however confirmed a receipt of the request but pleaded for time to respond.

But Justice Olatoregun told the parties that the court was yet to receive the bail application.

Agabi consequently pleaded with the court to remand his client in EFCC custody pending the consideration of his request.

After entertaining the submissions of all parties in the suit, the judge subsequently adjourned the case to tomorrow for hearing of the application.

The EFCC, in the charge delineated FHC/L/353c/18, alleged that on June 17, 2014, Fayose and Agbele took possession of N1.2 billion from criminal proceeds for the funding of the former’s gubernatorial ambition.

The erstwhile governor was also accused of receiving $5 million (about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, in excess of lawful election expenditure benchmark.

The anti-corruption outfit also claimed that Fayose retained N300 million in his Zenith Bank account and took control of about N622 million from illegal remittances among other charges.