Court Continues Fayose’s Case Despite EFCC’s Attempt To Transfer Matter

0
36
Gov. Ayo Fayose

By Adesina Wahab

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos on Monday continued hearing on the money laundering case instituted against the former Ekiti State Governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) despite subtle moves by the EFCC to get the matter transferred to another judge.

In fact, during the sitting on Monday, the presiding judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, did not say anything about the moves to transfer the matter.

She, however, took evidence from a staff of Zenith Bank in Akure, Ondo State, where Fayose was accused of collecting about N1.2 billion from the office of the then National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, to prosecute the 2014 governorship election.

Also, EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs'(SAN), attempt to secure an adjournment to delay the matter, as he claimed in a letter to have broken a leg, was not taken by the court because the court was not notified on time.

The court admonished the prosecution not to waste its time, as they had earlier said all witnesses to be called by them were ready.

The prosecution now has three more witnesses to call.

Recall that the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, had petitioned the President of the Federal High Court, Justice A Abdul-Kafarati, seeking the transfer of the matter.

However, Fayose’s counsel, Ola Olanipekun (SAN), countered that by saying that the Court of Appeal had held that a matter in which witnesses have been called by a party could no longer be transferred.

From the sitting on Monday, it is clear that Justice Abdul-Kafarati, has not yet ordered the transfer of the matter.

Justice Olatoregun subsequently adjourned continuation of the hearing to May 10 and 14, this year.

LEAVE A REPLY