Justice C.J. Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos has again granted permission to a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged fraud of over two billion naira.
The Counsel to the Ex-Governor, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had urged the court to allow him on medical ground.
The prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), did not oppose the request.
After granting the travel permit, Justice Aneke adjourned till January 16, 2020, for the continuation of trial.
Fayose is being prosecuted alongside a firm, Spotless Limited.
In the charges, the EFCC alleged, among others, that Fayose, on June 17, 2014, “took possession of the sum of N1, 219, 000,000 to fund your 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, which you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”
The ex-governor was also alleged to have on the same day “received a cash payment of $5,000,000 from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the then Minister of State for Defence, which exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 1 and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.”
He pleaded not guilty of the offence.