Court grants Fayose permission to travel abroad for treatment

A federal high court in Lagos has granted the request of Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti state, to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Fayose, who is being tired by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering, had told the court that he is sick.

He was arraigned in court on Friday and the case was adjourned till July 2.

The case was assigned to Chukwujekwu Aneke after 13 witnesses testified against the lack of confidence in Mojisola Olatoregun, the judge who previously presided over it.

Ola Olanipekun, Fayose’s lawyer, pleaded with the judge to enable the former governor travel abroad for medical treatment.

Aneke granted the application and ordered that Fayose must return his international passport to the court on or before September 16.

The case has been adjourned till September 16.

Fayose was first arraigned with his company, Spotless Limited,  in October last year, on an 11-count charge of receiving cash payment of $5 million from Musiliu Obanikoro, then minister of state for defence, without going through any financial institution.

EFCC said that the sum exceeded the amount allowed by law.

Fayose and one Agbele were also alleged to have taken possession of N1.2 billion for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign.

It also said that Fayose retained N300 million in his bank account and took control of N622 million, which he ought to know, formed part of crime proceeds.

The EFCC said Fayose used N1.6 billion to acquire property in Lagos and Abuja, adding that the sum was part of crime proceeds.

It added that the former governor used N200 million, which was part of crime proceeds, to acquire a property in Abuja in the name of his elder sister, Moji Oladeji.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.