N6.9bn Fraud: Absence of EFCC's Witness Stalls Fayose's Trial

The ongoing trial of former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, over alleged N6.9bn fraud money laundering was stalled yesterday due to the absence of prosecution witness, Aliyu Madaki.

Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, told the prosecutor for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) to inform the witness that the court has ordered his presence in court on March 22.

The judge fixed the date following the displeasure of defence counsel who argued that they have disengaged themselves from other commitments in order to be in court for the case, only for them to hear that the witness did not come.

Fayose is being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside a company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts bordering on N6.9 billion fraud and money laundering offences.

When the case was called on yesterday, EFCC prosecutor, Jacobs, announced his appearance, while Messrs Ola Olanipekun (SAN) and

Olalekan Ojo (SAN) appeared for the first and second defendants respectively.

In his submission, Jacobs informed the court that his 13th witness, Mr. Aliyu Madaki, who is to be cross examined by the defence, was held up in Jos and unable to attend court.

He also told the court that the witness is no longer a staff of EFCC, and now resides in Nasarawa, adding that he was unable to make it to court today as he is in Jos presently.

Prosecution informed the court that the witness had pleaded for another chance to be present on March 28, an already existing date given by the court, adding that the witness no longer works with the EFCC

Jacobs, however, said he had just discovered that the court will be on Easter vacation by then, and he consequently, prayed for a further date .

Initially, the judge had fixed April 25 and 26 for continuation of the matter but the two defence counsel were not satisfied with the dates, insisting that at least a date should be fixed in March.