The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has appealed the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which acquitted Abiodun Agbele, an aide to former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and three others in a N1.219 billion money laundering case.
Agbele, Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, De Privateer Limited, and Spotless Investment Limited were listed as the first to fourth respondents in the appeal.
The N1.219 billion is part of the N4.7 billion allegedly transferred from an account belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in the Central Bank of Nigeria.
EFCC, represented by prosecuting counsel Wahab Shittu (SAN), sought two reliefs from the Court of Appeal. The commission requested an order to allow the appeal and set aside the ruling of Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, replacing it with a decision that the 1st, 3rd, and 4th respondents have a case to answer on counts 1, 3-24 of the amended charge.
Additionally, the EFCC sought an order directing the 1st, 3rd, and 4th respondents to enter their defense before the trial court on the specified counts of the amended charge.
The EFCC expressed dissatisfaction with the lower court’s ruling, particularly the decision on June 21 that discharged and acquitted the 1st, 3rd, and 4th respondents on counts 1, 3-24 of the amended charge filed on March 7, 2024, before Justice Dimgba.
The commission’s appeal is based on 17 grounds, asserting that there is overwhelming evidence that N1.219 billion from the NSA’s account, intended for security purposes, was unlawfully diverted by the 1st, 3rd, and 4th respondents to fund Fayose’s governorship election.
The EFCC argued that the trial court erred in law by ruling that the respondents have no case to answer despite the substantial oral and documentary evidence presented.
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