The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it will appeal the judgement that discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, of alleged N6.9 billion fraud.
The anti-graft agency made this known in a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, shortly after the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, cleared Fayose of all charges.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ruled that the EFCC failed to present credible evidence linking Fayose to the alleged crimes, and therefore struck out the 11-count charge bordering on money laundering and theft.
Reacting to the verdict, the EFCC stated:
“Sequel to the judgement… acquitting and discharging a former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayo Fayose… the Commission wishes to state that it is already studying the ruling and preparing for an appeal.”
Fayose, alongside his company Spotless Investment Limited, had been on trial since July 2, 2019.
The EFCC accused him of receiving N6.9 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, during his time as governor.
Fayose has always denied the allegations and described the charges as politically motivated.
His recent court victory sparked wide reactions, with Fayose himself celebrating the outcome by eating amala with bricklayers at a construction site.
The EFCC, however, has now made it clear that the case is not over, and it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.