Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he has no case to answer in the N6.9 billion fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Fayose, represented by former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), filed a no-case submission before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, who has reserved ruling on the application until July 10, 2025.

The EFCC has pressed 11 counts bordering on stealing and money laundering against Fayose and Spotless Investment Limited, which was joined as the second defendant and represented by Olalekan Ojo (SAN).

During Monday's proceedings, Agabi argued that the EFCC had failed to establish a prima facie case against the ex-governor. He pointed out that Abiodun Agbele, a central figure in the alleged transactions, was not charged alongside Fayose.

"The predicate offences on which these charges are based do not hold water," Agabi told the court. "Criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are distinct charges, and no co-conspirator was docked with the defendant."

Ojo, counsel for the second defendant, supported the no-case submission by arguing that the credibility of former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a key prosecution witness, had been seriously undermined. Ojo noted that Obanikoro had admitted under cross-examination that there was no direct communication between Fayose and former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.

In response, EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the no-case submissions. He questioned why Fayose did not use his personal bank account for the transactions if they were legitimate.

"If the money was clean, why didn't he acquire the properties in his name?" Jacobs asked, citing testimony from EFCC investigator Abubakar Madaki that Fayose used associates to purchase properties both in Nigeria and abroad.

The prosecutor also emphasized that Obanikoro's testimony that Fayose personally requested funds in cash and introduced Agbele to handle the delivery required a defense from the accused.

Following the arguments, Justice Aneke granted Fayose permission to travel abroad for medical treatment, as requested by his counsel.

The case, which began in 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun who later retired, was subsequently reassigned to Justice Aneke.

According to the EFCC, Fayose allegedly received N1.2 billion to finance his 2014 election campaign and took $5 million in cash from Obanikoro, bypassing financial institutions. He is also accused of laundering over N1.6 billion through proxies and companies including De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd, in contravention of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.