Concerns are mounting over what insiders describe as a covert effort by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to quietly dismantle the ongoing ₦2.2 billion money laundering case against former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, sources close to the case allege that prosecutorial agencies are under pressure to weaken the case at the Federal High Court in Lagos, despite what they describe as “overwhelming evidence” of financial misconduct. Fayose, who served as governor from 2014 to 2018, is facing an 11-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stemming from funds allegedly diverted from the Office of the National Security Adviser during the 2014 Ekiti governorship election.
The prosecution claims that Fayose, in collaboration with then Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, received ₦2.2 billion through a shell company, Sylvan Mcnamara Limited. The funds, originally earmarked for security equipment, were allegedly funneled into Fayose’s campaign and personal accounts via cash deliveries involving bullion vans and private aircraft.
Despite the gravity of the charges, recent developments suggest the case may be heading toward collapse. A no-case submission filed by Fayose’s legal team is currently under review, with a ruling expected on July 10, 2025. Critics argue that the government’s muted posture and lack of prosecutorial vigor signal a deliberate attempt to bury the case.
Civil society organizations and legal observers are calling for transparency and accountability, warning that any perceived interference could erode public trust in Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions.
“This is not just about one individual,” said a spokesperson for a Lagos-based legal watchdog. “It’s about whether the rule of law still holds sway in Nigeria.”